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KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has received a phone call from his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif today.
In a Facebook post, Anwar said both he and Shehbaz renewed commitments to explore new potential areas for cooperation in various areas including trade and investment, education, defence, culture, as well as people-to-people relations.
“I have also expressed readiness on Malaysia’s part to raise bilateral ties with Pakistan to a higher level through a Joint Commission Meeting mechanism,” said Anwar.
Menerima panggilan telefon daripada Perdana Menteri Pakistan, Tuan Yang Terutama Shahbaz Shareef.
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) January 4, 2023
Video penuh: https://t.co/9OeJSNIlGw pic.twitter.com/I1vLeQt8sK
Malaysia and Pakistan have continued to strengthen bilateral cooperation since agreeing to a strategic partnership in 2019.
Pakistan is an important trading partner in South Asia and bilateral trade totalled US$1.42 billion (RM6.26 billion) in 2021.
In a video of the phone conversation which Anwar uploaded on Facebook, Shehbaz congratulated the Pakatan Harapan chairman on his appointment as prime minister following the 15th general election on November 19 last year. He also expressed confidence in Anwar’s leadership, saying his Malaysian counterpart was also well respected by Pakistanis and around the world.
The Pakistani leader also thanked the government and people of Malaysia for extending help in his country to those affected by the recent floods.
Anwar expressed hope that the brotherly and friendly relations, including personal ties, between both countries would continue to expand.
“The historical relationship between Malaysia and Pakistan that was established for a long time is not only limited to the current bilateral trade but also in terms of culture, Islamic understanding, and philosophy, which has benefitted us greatly,” he added. – Bernama, January 4, 2023