Daily Times

On the invitation of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister Imran Khan paid an official two-day long visit to Malaysia on 20-21 November. He was given a rousing welcome at the Perdana Square.  Imran Khan received a guard of honour during the welcoming ceremony at Prime Minister Mahathir’s office in Putrajaya. The Prime Minister was received by Senator Marzuki bin Yahya, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dr. Mohammad Farid bin Rafik, Deputy Minister in the PM Office of Government of Malaysia.

Earlier, Imran Khan visited the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and China. Malaysia was the fourth destination. Imran Khan was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister of Finance Asad Umar, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, and  the Commerce Advisor Abdul Razak Dawood. Since Dr Mahathir assumed his office in May, Imran Khan is going to be first foreign signatory to have visited Malaysia. Besides the talks, he held alone-on-one meeting.

Both Dr Mahathir and Imran Khan held a wide range of talks on important global and regional issues. Both leaders agreed to expand ties, expand trade and investment, create favourable conditions for commerce and business in both countries, particularly in palm oil, agri products, food retail, halal products, automotive parts, energy, science and technology, and telecommunications.

In addition to the 10,000 Pakistanis working in Malaysia, the country receives as many as 50,000 visitors from Pakistan each year. Under a 2005 agreement between Pakistan and Malaysia, as many as 100,000 Pakistanis may eventually work in Malaysia, especially in the manufacturing, construction, and plantation sectors

Reaffirming the Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (MPCEPA) signed on 8 November 2007 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Pakistan recognised the importance of regular discussions to strengthen the trade relationship in key sectors by addressing the bilateral trade imbalance. Both countries are also interested in promoting ties in defence relations. Malaysia is a participant to Pakistan Defence export 2018.

Both countries have been promoting trade in halal food items in bilateral trade. Both countries have also expressed their keen interest in eliminating corruption. Moreover, they have also expressed concern over the Palestine and Rakine States where the plight of Muslims is in question. They also expressed concern about the Kashmir cause.

Corruption is a serious crime committed in many countries. Different countries have adopted different mechanisms to tackle the issue and to eradicate this menace. Malaysia’s score in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) was 52 as recently recorded.

MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Shukri Abdul gave a briefing to the Prime Minister about the working of MACC. Imran Khan became the first world leader to visit the MACC since the organization came into being 51 years ago. MACC investigate both civilians and military men as well as judges, no one is exempted. Pakistan should get an MACC training and learn from their experience. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will impart its knowledge and help Pakistan in many ways. Imran Khan has promised ‘strict accountability’ and a new push against the people who looted his country.

Pakistan and Malaysia are old friends along with a tested relationship. Both are Islamic countries and play a great role in South and Southeast Asia. Pakistan and Malaysia developed a robust relationship in 1970. It was the Shah of Iran’s role that brought Pakistan and Malaysia closer to fully understanding each other.

Moreover, both countries agreed  to abolish the partial visa agreement promoting brotherly ties. In addition to the 10,000 Pakistanis working in Malaysia, the country receives as many as 50,000 visitors from Pakistan each year. Under a 2005 agreement between Pakistan and Malaysia, as many as 100,000 Pakistanis may eventually work in Malaysia, especially in the manufacturing, construction, and plantation sectors.

Imran Khan has the courage to learn from Malaysia’s development and continuing progress. This is further to be increased as trade and commerce between the two countries are increased.

Imran Khan did not seek Malaysian capital to resolve some of the country’s financial issues.  Pakistan has been facing a US$ 12 billion financing gap for the current fiscal year. The Pakistan Government is keen to minimise the amount borrowed from the International Monetary Fund by getting loans from friendly countries like Saudi Arabia, China, and now Malaysia, as officials here believe that the global lender could attach tough conditions. A package of US$ 6 billion each from Saudi Arabia and China has been pledged. Imran Khan wants to get out of the IMF package to end his financial woes. It looks like Imran Khan is confident in his endeavour and will continue with his efforts with other lenders as well.

The writer is a Consultant at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad.
He writers on East Asian affairs.

Published in Daily Times, November 24^th 2018.