Pakistan has secured a landmark $200 million halal meat export deal with Malaysia as both countries pledged to deepen cooperation in defence, trade, and emerging technologies, following what Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called “highly productive” talks with his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, in Putrajaya on Monday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said the agreement marks a “significant step” in boosting Pakistan’s export potential, particularly in the halal food sector. He assured that Pakistan would meet all Malaysian quality and halal certification standards, noting that Malaysia has also increased imports of Pakistani rice, signalling a growing partnership in agricultural trade.
Speaking at a joint press conference, PM Shehbaz praised Malaysia’s expertise in technology, IT, and artificial intelligence (AI), saying Pakistan hopes to launch joint ventures and research collaborations. “We are eager to learn from Malaysia’s experience and develop mutually beneficial projects,” he stated.
The prime minister also lauded the Urdu translation of Anwar Ibrahim’s book Script, describing it as a “guiding light for sustainability, compassion, innovation, and mutual trust.” He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to empowering its youth through modern education and innovation-driven partnerships.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim welcomed Pakistan’s progress and reaffirmed the “historic and fraternal relations” between the two nations. He expressed hope to further expand cooperation in economic, technological, and halal industry sectors, while commending Pakistan’s principled stance on Palestine.
Later, at the Pakistan-Malaysia Business Forum, both leaders urged the private sector to play a central role in driving economic growth. “Governments can lay the foundation, but it is the private sector that must drive the engines of growth,” PM Shehbaz emphasized.
During the visit, the two sides signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering higher education, tourism, halal certification, anti-corruption cooperation, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). They also explored new opportunities in telecom, digital economy, energy, investment, and infrastructure.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, accompanied by Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, was received in Kuala Lumpur by Malaysian Minister of Communications Fahmi Fadzil and Pakistan’s High Commissioner Syed Ahsan Raza Shah.
Earlier, PM Shehbaz was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at the Perdana Putra Complex, where both leaders held one-on-one and delegation-level discussions.
The visit is expected to inject new momentum into Pakistan-Malaysia relations, expanding cooperation in strategic, economic, and future-focused sectors.
The two countries remain partners under the Malaysia Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (MPCEPA), signed in 2007, which promotes trade, investment, and collaboration in areas like healthcare, tourism, intellectual property, and construction.
