News Desk |
Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to further enhance the bilateral cooperation in trade, privatization, foreign direct investment, food, and tourism. In a joint press conference with his counterpart, Mahathir Mohamad in Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Khan invited the Malaysian PM to visit Pakistan on March 23, 2019, for Pakistan Day celebration and be the guest of honor.
PM Khan is on a two-day official visit to Malaysia. Addressing the press conference PM Khan said that Islamabad wants to learn from the economic progress and development of Malaysia through the years.
“We look up to him [Mahatir] – a leader who transformed his country. We have followed Malaysia’s progress and my party [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] wants to learn from your leadership. How Malaysia transformed its economy, developed, and raised per capita and gross domestic product,” said the premier.
Mentioning the crisis of ‘unprecedented debt’ the newly formed government has found itself in, PM Khan said both the governments were faced with similar situation.
“Apart from trade and future cooperation, we are looking forward to Malaysian cooperation in the tourism sector,” he said, adding, “We have untapped tourism potential in Pakistan. We have tourism spots but no resorts.”
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Mentioning the crisis of ‘unprecedented debt’ the newly formed government has found itself in, PM Khan said both the governments were faced with similar situation. He said that his government had acquired mandate campaigning on an anti-corruption platform and he wanted to learn from the Malaysian model to come out of the present crisis.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr Mahathir Mohamad discussing issues of bilateral interests in Perdana Putra, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. #PMIKinMalaysia 🇲🇾🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/YJimE2HDgM
— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 21, 2018
The Malaysian PM, accepting the invitation extended by PM Khan said that the two sides have agreed to continue the bilateral dialogue process and will identify new areas in different sectors for future collaboration.
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PM Khan for his visit to Malaysia is accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, and Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood. The delegation was received by the Malaysian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Marzuki bin Yahya and Deputy Minister in the PM Office Dr. Mohammad Farid bin Rafik on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad inspecting the Guard of Honour at an official welcoming ceremony at Perdana Putra, Putrajaya. #PMIKinMalaysia 🇲🇾🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/Ef12LMaJ0s
— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 21, 2018
Both the countries are reportedly expected to sign an agreement on the partial abolition of visa for travel between the two countries.
Delegation of Pakistan led by PM Imran Khan meets Malaysian delegation led by PM Mahatir Mohamad to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral economic ties, expand trade & investment and create favourable conditions for commerce and business. #PMIKinMalaysia 🇲🇾🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/nXeeI8ySUE
— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 21, 2018
The visit is an opportunity to strengthen existing friendly bilateral ties between Pakistan and Malaysia. According to Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr. Muhammad Faisal, this is the first state visit by any foreign leader since Malaysia’s PM assumed office in May 2018.
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PM Khan has several times appreciated the initiatives taken by Malaysia to strengthen their economy. Pakistan and Malaysia already enjoy brotherly relations and mutual respect reinforced by cultural and religious empathy.
The visit of PM Khan to Malaysia will be fruitful in providing an opportunity to further fortify the bilateral relations by augmenting the economic and trade ties for mutual benefit.