Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded his three-day official visit to Malaysia by receiving an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership and Governance from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), conferred in recognition of his “outstanding leadership and contributions to nation-building.”
During a special ceremony, PM Shehbaz framed the honour through a philosophical lens, emphasizing that leadership is not a privilege but a “sacred trust, amanah,” that requires sincerity, justice, and transparent accountability. The Premier reflected on the “formidable challenges [of] conflict, poverty and disunity” facing the Muslim Ummah, stressing the need to hold onto shared values to “reclaim our lost place in the comity of nations.”
Royal Endorsement and Global Concerns
The Queen of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, who is the IIUM Constitutional Head, lauded PM Shehbaz’s four decades of service, highlighting his focus on “building lives and uplifting communities through education, healthcare and opportunities.”
Significantly, the Queen also raised the Palestine issue, stating that “peace on earth and harmony among all mankind” is what “we truly need today with what is happening in Palestine,” aligning the academic event with pressing humanitarian concerns.
Aggressive Approach to Bilateral and Economic Ties
In parallel meetings with his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, the leaders resolved to reignite bilateral cooperation and adopt a “more aggressive and forward-looking policy,” including exploring collaboration under the ASEAN economic bloc. The visit secured six accords and several trade agreements:
- Trade Boost: PM Ibrahim announced the import of Halal meat worth $200 million from Pakistan, a step hailed by PM Sharif. Malaysia, in turn, expressed its intent to expand palm oil exports to Pakistan.
- Technology Investment: A meeting with Malaysian business group Gobi Partners confirmed “keen interest” in collaborating within Pakistan’s rapidly growing e-commerce and financial technologies (fintech) sectors, boosting Pakistan’s startup ecosystem.
- Strategic Cooperation: Both nations agreed to deepen bilateral defence cooperation through knowledge and technology transfer in defence science and industry, alongside enhancing collaboration in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and tourism promotion.
United Stance on Gaza and Muslim Unity
A joint statement reiterated the shared commitment to “strengthening the solidarity of the Muslim Ummah” and combating intolerance, including Islamophobia.
Crucially, both leaders discussed regional peace and security, reaffirming support for a stable Afghanistan. Most notably, they jointly 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 Palestinian state. PM Shehbaz Sharif departed Malaysia shortly after concluding his official engagements.
