ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to strengthen their economic relations by promoting trade and investment for the mutual benefit of two countries.
Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said that Pakistan and Malaysia understand the issue of combating Islamophobia.
Regarding the Pakistan Day on 23rd of March the Malasian premier said that “I am honoured to be attending Pakistan Day.”
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He said that there is fear, enmity towards Muslims and the example of that is Christchurch. “We need to find other ways of combating Islamophobia, I think Pakistan and Malaysia understand this issue. Fighting back doesn’t always mean killing each other. There are other things we can do to reduce this atmosphere of fear, anger towards Muslims,” Mahathir asserted.
The Malaysian premier regretted that there is not a single Muslim country that can be taken as developed.
He said that Malaysia has very strict laws and vast experience to combat with corruption, adding that “I think we can exchange information on how to combat corruption in our countries.”
Later addressing a joint news conference, Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan has always looked upon Malaysian Prime Minister as a Muslim statesman who changed his country.
The Prime Minister also admired his Malaysian counterpart for taking a strong stance on issues affecting the Muslim world including terrorism.
Referring to the rise of Islamophobia in the world, he said it has badly affected the Muslims and expressed the confidence that the Malaysian Prime Minister will also forcefully take a stance on the matter.
He said that Islamophobia was deliberately stirred across the world. The Christchurch attacks were also the result of Islamophobia. “We will have to change the world’s perception regarding Muslims. Terrorism badly affected Muslim countries,” he continued.
The prime minister appreciated his Malaysian counterpart for taking a stand for Muslims in the aftermath of the New Zealand terror attacks, which killed at least 50 Muslims, including nine Pakistanis.
PM Imran also said that Pakistan is facing economic challenges right now and other countries, including Japan, are models for us. “I spoke to Mahathir Mohamad regarding how Malaysia moved forward and we discussed bilateral relations,” he added.
The premier further said that “Mahathir Mohamad’s visit to Pakistan is an honour for us.”
Earlier, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was presented a guard of honour after he arrived at the Prime Minister House on Friday.
Prime Minister Imran Khan accompanied his Malaysian counterpart to the PM House where he is scheduled to meet other leaders including Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and President Arif Alvi.
National anthems of both the countries were played on the occasion and a smartly turned out contingent of the armed forces presented guard of honour to the visiting dignitary.
