Pakistan and Malaysia have decided to increase bilateral economic relations through trade and investment, and stated that this would benefit the countries and their economies. The understanding came at a meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir bin Mohamad on Friday and was revealed during a media briefing. The Malaysian Premier stated, "We have discussion on issues affecting both the countries and ways to increase trade and foreign direct investment between the two countries."
Speaking after the understanding, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that he is honoured that Mahathir bin Mohamad visited Pakistan on the occasion of the Pakistan Day. "We have looked upon him as a Muslim statesman whose leadership changed his country and is a model for other Muslim countries," he said and added, "We took pride over the way the Malaysian Prime Minister raised the living standard for the people of his country and also admire him for taking stand on the issues, which affect the Muslim World."
Prime Minister Khan said that unfortunately very few Muslim leaders do take stand on the issues like war on terror and Islamophobia, whose latest example is the Christchurch incident, which affected the Muslim world.
Khan said, "We have been watching your stand against corruption and my party started a campaign against corruption 22 years ago. We actually believe that countries are not poor but corruption makes them poor by destroying state institutions and taking away the money which should have been spent on human beings."
The Malaysian Prime Minister said that he is very glad to revive friendship, which is very old and has come to Pakistan to join the national parade on the Pakistan National Day.
"We have bilateral discussions on substantial issues affecting both Pakistan and Malaysia and particularly the Muslims. We have identified many areas where both the countries can enhance relations, while increase in trade would benefit both the countries and economies."
He said that everyone is focussing on growing economy and it is necessary that "we have some wealth of our own in order to be able to function well as a nation and also as peer at international fora."
He said that trade between the two countries would increase because steps are being taken in this regard and it is being identified what Pakistan can export to Malaysia and what Malaysia can export to Pakistan, adding there is a need to understand rules and practices of each other's country.
Mahahtir bin Mohamad stated that two sides also discussed possibility of foreign direct investment, for Pakistan to invest in Malaysia and Malaysia to invest in Pakistan in power generation and other sectors, and this will be beneficial for both the countries. He said both the countries are equally concerned about corruption.
Malaysia has a plan to become a developed country by 2025 and hoped that it would not be confined only to Malaysia and other Muslim countries will also become developed countries.
On Islamophobia, Mahathir bin Mohamad said there is fear, hatred and enmity towards Muslims and this is why the Christchurch attack took place. He urged the need for finding ways to combat Islamophobia.
He said Pakistan and Malaysia can also cooperate on this particular issue with the aim to bring improvement in the perception of Muslims and reduce hatred and fear towards Muslims. Later, both the leaders held a one-on-one meeting.
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