Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership and Governance by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) during his three-day official visit. The recognition was bestowed upon him for his “outstanding leadership and contributions to nation-building.”
During a special ceremony held yesterday at the Kuala Lumpur campus, PM Shehbaz accepted the degree, calling it a “great privilege and honour.” Reflecting on his four decades of public service, he stressed that leadership was not a privilege but a “sacred trust, amanah,” which must be exercised with “sincerity, justice and transparent accountability before Allah.”
The Prime Minister lamented the “formidable challenges [of] conflict, poverty and disunity” confronting the Muslim Ummah today, urging that “it is in these testing times that we need to hold on together to our values and ethics… to be able to reclaim our lost place in the comity of nations.”
Malaysian Queen Hails Visionary Service and Mentions Palestine
Queen of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, who is also the IIUM Constitutional Head, offered high praise for the Prime Minister’s decades of work. She noted that PM Shehbaz had “served with vision, discipline and compassion” and demonstrated that “true leadership is not about power but about purpose, about building lives and uplifting communities.”
The Queen specifically highlighted the Prime Minister’s initiative of the Punjab Education Endowment Fund, which “opened the doors of higher learning to thousands who might never have dreamt of university education,” defining it as “leadership that touches hearts and transforms futures.”
In a poignant moment, the Pahang Queen referenced the global need for “peace on earth and harmony among all mankind” in light of “what is happening in Palestine,” aligning the event’s sentiments with pressing international concerns.
Deepening Bilateral Ties and Economic Commitments
Beyond the academic honour, the Prime Minister’s visit yielded significant diplomatic and economic progress, with Pakistan and Malaysia sealing six accords and several trade agreements. PM Shehbaz and his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, resolved to reignite bilateral cooperation, aiming for a more aggressive, forward-looking policy, including potential collaboration under the ASEAN economic bloc.
Economically, the announcement by PM Ibrahim regarding the import of Halal meat worth $200 million from Pakistan was hailed as a “welcome step.” In return, Malaysia expressed its intention to expand palm oil exports to Pakistan to meet growing demand.
PM Shehbaz also held a crucial meeting with Malaysian business group Gobi Partners, who “showed keen interest in collaboration in e-commerce and financial technologies in Pakistan.” The Prime Minister assured them of the government’s focus on implementing “focused reforms to support startups and early-stage investors.”
In a joint statement, both nations underscored their commitment to strengthening the partnership through trade, defence cooperation, and exploring joint initiatives in energy security, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture. Reaffirming their shared values, both leaders reiterated their commitment to “strengthening the solidarity of the Muslim Ummah” and called for combating all forms of intolerance, including Islamophobia. Furthermore, they jointly condemned the “ongoing genocide in Gaza” and reiterated their support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of a sovereign state.
