TLTP REPORT
ISLAMABAD, (TLTP): Prime Ministers Imran Khan and Dr Mahathir Mohamad witnessed signing of the “Partial Visa Abolishment Agreement (PVAA)” between Pakistan and Malaysia on Wednesday.
Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Home Minister of Malaysia Tan Sri Dato Haji Muhyiddin signed a MoU to reinforce the positive momentum in the bilateral relationship by broadening contact at the official level, said a joint statement by the two countries following a bilateral meeting in Putrajaya.
PM Khan visit ushers in closer future partnership
Both sides acknowledged the importance of the tourism industry and youth exchanges in promoting greater people-to-people contacts, sustainable socio-economic growth, and in fostering mutual understanding between the two countries. Both sides also reaffirmed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Recruitment of Pakistan Workers signed in Islamabad, Pakistan on 20th October 2003.
Recognizing Malaysia’s earnest efforts in eliminating corruption, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed Pakistan’s keen interest in learning from Malaysia’s experience and accomplishments in this field. Prime Minister Imran Khan also extended an invitation to Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad to undertake a visit to Pakistan.
Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad accepted the invitation with appreciation. The dates of the visit will be coordinated through diplomatic channels. Both leaders held fruitful in-depth discussions covering a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interests.
Earlier The Prime Minister of Malaysia Honourable Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad accorded a warm ceremonial welcome to the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan who has been on an Official Visit to Malaysia for two days.
Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on his electoral victory. Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad also congratulated Prime Minister Imran Khan on his recent resounding election success. He also wished Pakistan greater progress in its national development under the new government.
Setting the tone and future direction of bilateral relations between the two countries, both leaders stressed the importance of exchanges of visits at all levels to further expand the depth of bilateral relations. Both leaders acknowledged the long-standing friendship and close cooperation between the two countries. The Malaysian PM recalled the contribution by Justice Abdul Hameed of Pakistan, member of the Reid Commission, in the drafting of the Malaysian constitution. Both Leaders reaffirmed the commitment to strengthen the partnership which meets the interests of both countries.
The two leaders welcomed the establishment of Bilateral Consultation between their Ministries of Foreign Affairs to intensify bilateral engagements.The first Bilateral Consultation will be convened in Islamabad next year, the two sides decided.Both leaders welcomed continued efforts to intensify economic, commercial, and investment cooperation between Malaysia and Pakistan. The two leaders noted the mutual desired to strengthen bilateral economic ties, expand trade and investment, create favorable conditions for commerce and business in both countries, particularly in palm oil, agricultural products, food retail, halal products, automotive parts, energy, science and technology, and telecommunication.
The two leaders also reaffirmed the Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (MPCEPA) signed on 8 November 2007 in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia and Pakistan recognized the importance of regular discussions to strengthen trade relationship in key sectors and addressing bilateral trade imbalance. Both sides look forward to a possible MPCEPA Joint Committee Meeting in the near future in this regard.
Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to assist Pakistan in addressing its energy shortfall. He recalled the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) between Malaysia and Pakistan signed in November 2017. He also said Malaysia’s national electric provider company Tenaga Nasional Berhad is open to business opportunities with Pakistan including in renewable energy. Prime Minister Imran Khan welcomed Malaysia’s cooperation in the LNG and other energy sectors including hydroelectric and renewable resources.
Prime Minister Imran Khan recognized Malaysia’s success in the high-tech industry hub in the northern state of Penang and highlighted his intention to explore greater collaboration between the high-tech industries with Malaysia. Pakistan invited potential Malaysian companies to explore the possibility of investing in Special Economic Zones to take advantage of Pakistan’s strategic location at the crossroads of Central, South and West Asia. And Malaysia invited Pakistani companies to invest in Malaysia in both the manufacturing and services sectors where the companies are able to leverage Malaysia’s strategic location in expanding their investments into ASEAN and the Asia Pacific regions.
Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation and looked forward to the 13th Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) that will be convened in 2019 in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia invited Pakistan to participate in the upcoming Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) in 2019. Pakistan also welcomed Malaysia’s participation in the upcoming Defence Expo IDEAS-2018 in Pakistan.
They agreed to increase their efforts to collaborate in upholding true values of Islam at international forums and to strengthen the solidarity of the Muslim Ummah. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate more closely on issues affecting the Muslim world including taking joint efforts in underscoring Muslim sensitivities in attacking Muslim holy personalities and religious belief. They stressed terrorism cannot be associated with any religion or belief while the Malaysian side noted the massive counter-terrorism success Pakistan had in eliminating terrorism.
The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in Palestine and in the Rakhine State, Myanmar involving Rohingya Muslims. On the Palestinian issue, both countries agreed to contribute positively in other forums, especially in the OIC Committee of Six on Palestine, of which Malaysia and Pakistan are members. Prime Minister Imran Khan briefed Prime Minister Tun Mahathir on the grave human rights situation in Kashmir and in this regard referred to the Reports of UNOHCHR, Amnesty International, International People’s Tribunal and All Parties Parliamentary Kashmir Group, UK. He also discussed the role of OIC Contact Group on Kashmir to highlight the issue.
