KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on Malaysia and Pakistan to reignite their bilateral cooperation and move towards a more aggressive and forward-looking policy.
He said relations between the two countries, though long-standing, have become "somewhat stagnated" and need a renewed, practical approach anchored in clear policies.
"It is time that we wake up and embark on this more aggressive policy for our own survival. Malaysia is a trading nation.
"We would have to work on existing partners, but to open up new avenues, and Pakistan is one of the countries that we look forward to (working together)," said Anwar in his speech at the Pakistan-Malaysia Business and Investment Conference, in conjunction with his counterpart, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif's official visit to Malaysia, here on Monday (Oct 6).
Also present at the event were Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong.
Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two nations.
Anwar noted that Malaysia and Pakistan share deep cultural, educational and intellectual connections, but stressed that modern cooperation must also be grounded in economic pragmatism.
He emphasised that political stability, clear economic policies, and an efficient mechanism are essential to ensure decision-making processes are accelerated. Additionally, economic resilience must extend beyond domestic boundaries.
"We have traditional relations in trade and partnership. We have realised that dependency on one country, one system, will be futile.
"We need, therefore, to expand trade relations. That is why we will work for a strong, formidable Asean in terms of trade, in terms of investments," said Anwar.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Shehbaz underscored the critical role of the private sector in driving growth and unlocking the full potential of Malaysia-Pakistan cooperation.
"I firmly believe that while governments can lay the foundations and provide the enabling framework, it is solely the private sector that must drive the engines of growth.
"Business should be run by business houses, entrepreneurs and experts in the private sector and not by governments. The sole role of any government is to act as a catalyst to promote business and friendly business environments," he said.
Accordingly, Muhammad Shehbaz encouraged companies from Malaysia and Pakistan to pursue joint ventures, business-to-business partnerships and technology collaboration, emphasising that greater private sector involvement would strengthen regional competitiveness and innovation.
"Finally, by establishing operations in Pakistan, companies gain a strategic gateway to the vast regional and global markets.
"Through Pakistan, we can jointly have access to Gulf markets on competitive terms. I am confident that with our combined efforts, we will unlock new horizons of trade, investment, industrial collaboration and create synergy," he said. – Bernama
Malaysia, Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Anwar Ibrahim, Trade
