Shehbaz lands in Kuala Lumpur amid rapid geopolitical changes

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday received a warm welcome as he arrived in Kuala Lumpur on an official visit as both nations are aiming at strengthening bilateral ties while trade and investment being the main focus.

The visit is expected to produce a wide range of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements with two prime ministers — Shehbaz and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim — also discussing important regional and internationals issues.

Shehbaz is visiting Malaysia just weeks after Pakistan signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and only days after US President Donald Trump revealed his Gaza peace plan.

Sunday also saw eight influential Muslim states, including Pakistan, welcoming the approach adopted by Hamas towards the Gaza peace plan.

One of these nations Egypt is set to host Hamas and Israel representatives at seaside resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for talks so that the much-needed peace plan could be executed.

Read more: Hamas ‘very keen’ to reach deal as talks begin in Sharm el-Sheikh

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also holds the portfolio of foreign minister, and other top cabinet members and officials are accompanying Shehbaz in his latest visit after his recent trips to Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Besides the meeting between the two prime ministers, Pakistan and Malaysia will also hold delegation-level talks with an aim to strengthen cooperation across key sectors, including trade, investment, information technology, halal industry, education, energy, and digital economy.

TRADE AND INVESTMENT

In his remarks, Ibrahim welcomed Shehbaz and said the latest visit was a continuation of his trip to Pakistan in 2024, adding that the two sides would discuss the mutual interests of Malaysian and Pakistani peoples.

Both countries would find new venues of cooperation in multiple fields, including trade and investment, said the Malaysian prime minister.

It’s a developing story. Details to follow.