Pakistan, Malaysia Sign $200m Halal Meat Deal; Vow to Deepen Trade, Education, and Anti-Corruption Ties

APP

Putrajaya: Pakistan and Malaysia on Monday agreed to expand cooperation across multiple sectors — from trade, education, and tourism to halal certification and anti-corruption — with Kuala Lumpur announcing the import of $200 million worth of halal meat from Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on his maiden visit to Malaysia, held “very productive” talks with his counterpart Anwar Ibrahim at Putrajaya, where both leaders reaffirmed commitment to strengthen bilateral and regional collaboration.

The discussions, covering economic and geopolitical issues, also touched upon Israel’s war on Gaza and the need for global action to end Palestinian suffering.

“We will ensure that the $200 million halal meat quota fully meets Malaysian certification standards and surpasses expectations,” Prime Minister Shehbaz assured, calling the deal a milestone for Pakistan’s meat industry.

He praised Malaysia’s economic transformation and said Pakistan hoped to emulate its model through cooperation in agriculture, IT, vocational training, and joint ventures.

During the meeting, the two countries signed six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen ties in higher education, halal certification, tourism, anti-corruption cooperation, diplomat training, and SME development.

The documents were exchanged in the presence of both leaders, with key signatories including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, and Malaysian ministers Haji Mohamad Hasan, Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir, and Dr. Mohd Na’im Bin Haji Mokhtar.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia saw vast potential in expanding cooperation in defense, agriculture, digital technologies, and green energy, emphasizing that peace between Pakistan and India was vital for regional stability. He also voiced support for President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan while maintaining “certain reservations.”

The Malaysian leader lauded Pakistani professionals, skilled workers, and students for contributing to Malaysia’s growth, while both sides reaffirmed their commitment to promoting cultural and academic exchange.

The two prime ministers also launched the Urdu translation of Anwar Ibrahim’s book, “SCRIPT: For a Better Malaysia,” and discussed enhancing engagement between Pakistan and ASEAN. Malaysia reaffirmed support for Pakistan’s bid to become a Full Dialogue Partner of ASEAN.

Shehbaz, calling Malaysia his “second home,” said Pakistan was blessed with resources — from minerals to skilled youth — and was eager to build a “great partnership” to achieve shared prosperity.

Private Sector Urged to Drive Growth

At the Pakistan–Malaysia Business and Investment Conference, attended by entrepreneurs and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Shehbaz Sharif urged private enterprises to lead economic growth.

“Governments can only provide frameworks. Business must be driven by experts and entrepreneurs,” he said, expressing hope that strong Pakistan-Malaysia ventures could help Pakistan “say goodbye to the IMF forever.”

He invited Malaysian investors to explore opportunities in agriculture, minerals, tourism, and SMEs, highlighting Pakistan’s vast resources and young workforce.

Anwar Ibrahim assured full facilitation for Pakistani investors and emphasized expanding ASEAN’s economic footprint for regional prosperity.

Warm Welcome at Putrajaya

Earlier, Shehbaz Sharif was accorded a guard of honor at the Perdana Putra Complex upon his arrival. The prime ministers inspected the parade before introducing their delegations and holding one-on-one and delegation-level talks.

Shehbaz was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and SAPM Tariq Fatemi. He will return to Pakistan on Tuesday after concluding the three-day official visit.