Anwar Hosts Luncheon For Visiting Pakistan PM Muhammad Shehbaz

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, at Seri Perdana here.

Anwar and Shehbaz, who arrived together in the same car at 12.55 pm, were greeted with ‘Welcome to Malaysia’ chants by students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Putrajaya Presint 11 (3), while a group of dancers from Istana Budaya performed the welcoming dance.

Also in attendance were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.

Earlier, Shehbaz was accorded an official welcome Perdana Putra Complex, and held a bilateral meeting with Anwar.

Shehbaz and his delegation arrived in Malaysia yesterday for a three-day official visit at Anwar’s invitation.

According to a statement issued by Wisma Putra, Shehbaz’s visit to Malaysia serves as a reciprocal gesture to Anwar’s official visit to Pakistan in October 2024, reflecting the deepening ties between the two nations.

The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations and foster stronger cooperation in areas of mutual benefit.

Malaysia and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1957, with ties elevated to a Strategic Partnership in March 2019.

In 2024, total trade between Malaysia and Pakistan reached RM8.07 billion (USD1.76 billion), an increase of 25.5 per cent from the previous year.

Malaysia’s main exports to Pakistan include palm oil, petroleum and chemical products, while imports from Pakistan consist of agricultural produce, textiles, apparel, footwear and petroleum products.

-- BERNAMA