Pakistan Strongly Supports Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship Role Next Year - High Commissioner

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- Pakistan High Commissioner to Malaysia, Said Ahsan Raza Shah, has expressed strong support for Malaysia as it prepares to assume the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairmanship next year.

Highlighting the significant potential for deepened regional cooperation, he noted that Malaysia's leadership role in the regional bloc offers an excellent opportunity to indirectly enhance bilateral relations between Pakistan and Malaysia.

"Malaysia has been one of the top supporters of Pakistan in ASEAN, helping us secure our sectoral dialogue partnership. We are now looking forward to becoming full dialogue partners with ASEAN, with Malaysia's continued support,” he said.

The envoy made these remarks during an interview in conjunction with Pakistan’s National Day observed on Aug 4, featured in “The Nation” programme produced by Bernama TV on Monday.

Said Ahsan also praised ASEAN as a model of regional cooperation and stability, emphasising the opportunities it presents for further collaboration.

Elaborating on global peace and stability, especially concerning the ongoing conflicts in Palestine, Said Ahsan highlighted the roles that Pakistan and Malaysia could effectively play within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

He commended Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his advocacy for Muslim causes and his engagement with Muslim leaders worldwide, including Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

"Malaysia has played a significant role as a champion of Islamic causes. Both countries share a very similar foreign policy, particularly concerning the situation in Palestine.

“Anwar has spoken to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at least three times in recent months, discussing the Palestine issue and other regional concerns. These contacts will continue," he added, noting that the need for resolving conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia, including the Kashmir dispute, in accordance with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

Regarding bilateral ties between the two nations, the envoy highlighted that the key focus would be to enhance people-to-people connections, which he described as the foundation of the relationship.

“They are growing very steadily. As a destination for halal tourism, Pakistan is now emerging as an important market for Malaysian tourists. Similarly, a very large number of Pakistanis are coming here, thanks to social media and television programmes.

“Education is another crucial sector. Pakistan ranks among the top sources of foreign students in Malaysian universities due to the high standards of education. In the coming high-level visits, we would like to sign an MoU on cultural cooperation, combining education, culture and tourism,” he added.

Pakistan was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Malaysia in 1957.

-- BERNAMA