JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN MALAYSIA AND THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY MUHAMMAD SHEHBAZ SHARIF, PRIME MINISTER OF THE[...]

JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN MALAYSIA AND THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF

PAKISTAN ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY

MUHAMMAD SHEHBAZ SHARIF, PRIME MINISTER OF THE ISLAMIC

REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN TO MALAYSIA

5 - 7 OCTOBER 2025

At the invitation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, His Excellency Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan undertook an official visit to Malaysia from 5 - 7 October 2025. This visit marked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's first official visit to Malaysia since assuming office on 4 March 2024. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1957, Malaysia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have built a partnership premised on mutual respect and shared values, which was elevated to a Strategic Partnership on 22 March 2019.

2. The Leaders held a bilateral meeting on 6 October 2025 to discuss Malaysia-Islamic Republic of Pakistan ties and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Both Leaders reaffirmed the enduring bonds of friendship and the shared aspiration to build a more dynamic and resilient partnership. Both Leaders held substantive discussions in a warm and cordial atmosphere.

3. The Leaders underscored the importance of maintaining regular high-level exchanges to provide strategic direction for bilateral cooperation. Both Leaders agreed to reconvene, at a mutually convenient time, the Joint Commission Meeting at the level of the Foreign Minister.

4. Both Leaders recognised the vast potential in trade and investment, and expressed satisfaction with ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral trade and investment. The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting balanced and sustainable economic ties through enhanced market access, business facilitation, and the effective utilisation of the Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (MPCEPA).

5. Malaysia expressed its intention to expand palm oil exports to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in line with the increasing demand within the Islamic Republic of Pakistan's food processing and manufacturing sectors. Both Leaders agreed to ensure a stable and sustainable supply chain, while upholding environmentally responsible practices.

6. Both Leaders acknowledged the growing global demand for halal products and services, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of halal. Both countries are committed to facilitate mutual recognition of halal certification, strengthen halal food supply and product manufacturing, and share best practices of halal certification.

7. Both Leaders acknowledged the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and agreed to explore joint research, innovation, and the development of sustainable agricultural production methods.

8. The Leaders expressed satisfaction with the strong ongoing defence collaboration under the purview of the Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) platform, since its establishment in 1997. Cooperation between the two countries has been tremendously strengthened through high-level visits, regular bilateral meetings at ministerial and military levels, military-to-military engagements and defence industry linkages. Both sides also agreed to further deepen the bilateral defence cooperation, particularly in the field of defence science, technology, and industry, through knowledge and technology transfer.

9. Both Leaders welcomed further cooperation in education, including technical and vocational training, and the enhancement of institutional partnerships.

10. Recognising the importance of aviation in fostering greater connectivity and promoting people-to-people exchanges, the Leaders agreed to enhance air travel services and explore opportunities for increased connectivity between Malaysia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Efforts will focus on increasing air traffic rights to enable the expansion of flight routes and facilitating the growth of air travel, thereby strengthening economic, business, and tourism ties between the two nations.

11. The Leaders agreed to explore collaboration in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, with the aim of enhancing public health and commercial exchanges in these sectors.

12. Both Leaders expressed optimism in expanding tourism cooperation, particularly in light of Malaysia's "Visit Malaysia 2026" (VM2026) and "Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026" (MYMT2026) campaigns. Malaysia extended a warm welcome to Pakistani travellers, and the Leaders agreed to enhance tourism promotion and cultural exchanges from both sides.

13. Both Leaders recognised the importance of people-to-people ties and welcomed the positive contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in Malaysia to national development. The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation in the area of labour, including technical training and skills development.

14. Acknowledging the importance of energy security and sustainability, the Leaders agreed to explore cooperation in the fields of renewable energy, energy transition, and climate resilience, including knowledge-sharing, joint research and investment in clean energy projects.

15. Both Leaders reaffirmed their support for enhanced collaboration in science, technology, and innovation (STI), including cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

16. The Leaders underscored the critical importance of regional cooperation in disaster management and risk reduction, and committed to enhancing the exchange of knowledge and best practices in humanitarian assistance, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.

17. The Leaders expressed their commitment to enhance cooperation in cybersecurity and efforts in combating transnational organised crimes, terrorism, terrorism financing as well as cybercrime. They agreed to continue exchanging information and expertise to address emerging security challenges.

18. The Leaders noted the active cooperation on key issues within the framework of international organisations, particularly the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Developing-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation (D-8) and reaffirmed their commitment towards mutual support for each other's initiatives and candidatures to the international bodies.

19. Both Leaders reiterated their shared commitment to strengthening the solidarity of the Muslim Ummah and upholding the true values of Islam. The leaders reaffirmed that international challenges must be resolved through peaceful means in full accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. Both Leaders also discussed geopolitical issues, particularly the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the humanitarian situation in Rakhine State, Myanmar, which affects the Rohingya Muslim community. In this context, both leaders strongly condemned the ongoing genocide in Gaza and reiterated their unwavering support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of a sovereign, viable, contiguous, and independent Palestinian state, based on pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. They also called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, an end to the blockade on Gaza, the protection of all civilians and for unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance to those affected immediately. Both Leaders emphasised the importance of a just and lasting solution to the challenges in bringing peace and stability to the region. Both leaders also commended the international community's efforts to find pragmatic measures in resolving the question of granting a Palestinian statehood.

20. The two leaders discussed the escalating threats to peace and security in the region. They underscored the importance of restraint and responsible conduct by all sides, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States. They agreed that disputes must be resolved through peaceful means in accordance with international law including the UN Charter, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

21. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and a sustainable future for its people. They emphasised the importance of continued engagement with the interim Afghan authorities, particularly for combating terrorism, to prevent the use of Afghan soil against other countries. Highlighting the need for inclusive governance in the country and the protection of fundamental rights there, the leaders stressed the importance of maintaining humanitarian assistance and capacity building for the Afghan population.

22. The Leaders condemned all forms of Islamophobia, xenophobia and incitement to violence, and reaffirmed their call upon the international community to undertake concerted action to combat intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatisation, discrimination, and violence against persons based on religion or belief.

23. The Leaders underscored the importance of promoting mutual respect, tolerance, and understanding among religions, cultures, and peoples, in line with relevant UN resolutions, including Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18 and Resolution 53/1.

24. The leaders welcomed the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolutions 76/254 and 78/264, reaffirming the significance of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, and encouraged the Secretary-General to pursue the development of an action-oriented Plan in consultation with Member States, to effectively address Islamophobia and related forms of religious hatred.

25. The Leaders further welcomed the appointment by the Secretary-General of Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos Cuyaubé of Spain as the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia on 7 May 2025, noting his concurrent role as the High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, and expressed their support for his mandate as part of collective international efforts to counter intolerance and promote peaceful coexistence.

26. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the Islamic Republic of Pakistan's strong support for Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship and expressed confidence in Malaysia's leadership in steering ASEAN towards deeper regional integration, peace, and prosperity. Both Leaders welcomed the progress made in implementing the ASEAN-Pakistan Sectoral Dialogue Partnership: Practical Cooperation Areas 2024-2028.

27. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep appreciation and sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Government of Malaysia for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the visit.

******