ISLAMABAD: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday expressed hope for increased Pakistani investment, noting it had grown to nearly $397 million in recent years, as the two countries look to deepen economic and diplomatic ties.
Ibrahim’s comments came shortly after a phone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif, during which both leaders exchanged Eid Al-Fitr greetings and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Sharif is expected to travel to Kuala Lumpur in May on an official visit, following Ibrahim’s three-day trip to Islamabad last October. That visit saw the signing of several memoranda of understanding between the two sides and the conferment of Pakistan’s highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, on the Malaysian leader.
“This evening, I spoke with my counterpart from Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, exchanging and reaffirming our commitment to strengthening Malaysia-Pakistan ties,” Ibrahim wrote in a post on social media platform X. “Our friendship continues to deepen, opening new avenues for cooperation, particularly following my visit to Pakistan last October.”
“Pakistan’s investments in Malaysia have grown to approximately $397 million, and I welcome further investments, especially in agriculture, petrochemicals and biomass industries,” he said.
The two leaders also reviewed collaboration in trade, education and research while agreeing to expedite pending matters to advance shared goals, Ibrahim added.
The Malaysian prime minister said the conversation also covered the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where “Israel’s violations of the ceasefire continue to undermine peace efforts.”
Both leaders discussed coordinated efforts to support reconstruction in the besieged territory and to end the violence against Palestinians.
“I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Shehbaz on his maiden visit to Malaysia on 9 May,” Ibrahim said, expressing his hope that the partnership would continue to strengthen for the benefit of both nations.
Pakistan and Malaysia have long maintained cordial relations, with both countries working to expand cooperation in various sectors.
The renewed outreach comes as Islamabad intensifies its economic diplomacy to attract foreign investment and revive its struggling economy.
Malaysia PM seeks deeper economic ties as investment from Pakistan hits $397 million
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Malaysia PM seeks deeper economic ties as investment from Pakistan hits $397 million
- Anwar Ibrahim wants more Pakistani investment in agriculture, petrochemicals and biomass industries
- He says his government is looking forward to PM Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to Kuala Lumpur in May
Pakistan to launch first national anti-polio drive of 2026 today to vaccinate millions
- Pakistani health volunteers will aim to vaccinate over 45 million children from Feb. 2-8, reports state media
- Pakistan reported 31 polio cases last year, which were significantly lower than the 74 cases it reported in 2024
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani health authorities will launch the year’s first national anti-polio drive today, Monday, to vaccinate over 45 million children against the virus, state media reported as Islamabad aims to eliminate the disease.
Eliminating poliovirus remains a critical health initiative of Pakistan, which along with Afghanistan, is one of only two countries worldwide where the virus is endemic. Pakistan reported 31 cases of polio in 2025, which authorities say is a significant decline from the alarming 74 cases of the disease it reported in 2024.
Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq announced last month that the anti-polio vaccination campaign will be conducted across the country from Feb. 2 to 8, during which over 45 million children under the age of five will be targeted. She said a total of 400,000 trained health volunteers will go door-to-door to administer polio drops to children.
“A varied duration anti-polio campaign in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will begin from tomorrow [Monday],” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday.
The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), in an earlier statement, said six national polio campaigns were conducted across the country in 2025. The NEOC urged parents to fully cooperate with polio teams and ensure their children receive polio drops.
Polio workers and their security escorts have repeatedly been targeted in militant attacks, particularly in parts of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces, complicating efforts to vaccinate children in remote areas.
A gun attack targeting a polio vaccination team in Pakistan’s northwestern Bajaur district in December 2025 left one police constable and a civilian dead.
Natural disasters, such as floods, have also disrupted vaccination campaigns in recent years.
