ISLAMABAD: Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Islamabad on a three-day visit to the country on Wednesday, PM Shehbaz Sharif’s office said, with his visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in trade, investment and other sectors. 

Pakistan and Malaysia enjoy a strong bilateral relationship, rooted in shared Islamic values and historical ties. Since 1957, they’ve fostered economic cooperation, defense collaborations, and cultural exchange. 

The Pakistan-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement of 2008 boosted trade and investment, while regular high-level visits have solidified their partnership, underpinned by mutual respect and trust. Ibrahim is being accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Malaysian ministers, deputy ministers and senior officials.

Sharif welcomed his Malaysian counterpart and the high-level delegation upon their arrival in the capital, with senior Pakistani government officials by his side. 

“Pakistan-Malaysia bilateral cooperation will be discussed during the visit and important progress related to the partnership between the two countries will be made,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. 

“The prime minister of Malaysia will also participate in the Pakistan-Malaysia Business Forum for cooperation in trade and investment between the two countries,” it added. 

Sharif’s office said Ibrahim will also meet Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari during his visit. 

Pakistan’s foreign office said earlier this week that the two sides will discuss a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen Pakistan-Malaysia ties. These diverse fields include trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, halal industry, tourism, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts.

Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Malaysia was recorded at $1.5 billion in 2023-24. The major exports of Pakistan to Malaysia include rice, condensate oil, onions, potatoes, home textiles, corn, seafood, and meat, palm oil and its products, petroleum, LNG, computers and laptops, nonwoven wadding, and fiberboard, according to the High Commission of Pakistan in Malaysia.

Tourism between both countries has gained momentum over the past few years and Malaysia currently ranks among the top tourist source countries to Pakistan, the foreign office said. 

Around 160,000 Pakistani nationals are residing in Malaysia and over 3,800 students from Pakistan are also enrolled in Malaysian higher education institutes, making the country the third largest source of international students in Malaysia.

Pakistan is also one of the major workforce source countries for Malaysia in various key sectors including plantation, construction, manufacturing, agriculture and services, the foreign office said.