Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim’s successful visit to Pakistan where he also received an honorary Doctorate Degree from the National University of Science and Technology
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited Islamabad, on a three-day official visit to strengthen the bilateral strategic partnership between Malaysia and Pakistan. This is the first visit by a Malaysian prime minister to Pakistan in five years. with the last visit by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in March 2019, during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. The two countries have maintained a strategic partnership since 2019.
Anwar bin Ibrahim who is as old as Pakistan (born in August 1947) is the 10th and current Prime Minister of Malaysia since 2022. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received him at Noor Khan Air Base. Upon his arrival at the Nur Khan Airbase, children clad in traditional attire presented bouquets to the Malaysian premier. He was also given a static guard of honor while 21 guns boomed in the background as a gesture of warm welcome. A high-level delegation of business leaders and investors is accompanying the Malaysian Prime Minister, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hassan (arrived earlier in the day and held preparatory discussions with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar), Minister of International Trade and Industry, Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Haji Hasbi Bin Haji Habibollah; and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Senator Dr Zulkifli bin Hasan.
During this visit, both Prime Ministers, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Mr. Shehbaz Sharif also launched three translated works of renowned Pakistani poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, originally in Persian, Urdu, and English, and now will be launched in Bahasa Melayu and the MADANI Malaysia.
Most notably, One of Pakistan’s leading Universities, The National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST-Islamabad) conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy upon the Honorable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia’s Prime Minister during a Special Convocation held at the NUST main campus on Thursday, October 3, 2024.
Lt Gen (Retd) Engr Javed Mahmood Bukhari, HI (M), Rector NUST, warmly welcomed the Malaysian Prime Minister and other foreign and Pakistani dignitaries to NUST. The Rector acknowledged the exemplary leadership and admirable accomplishments of the Prime Minister. He also highlighted the strong potential for academic and research collaborations between leading Malaysian and Pakistani universities like NUST.
His Highness, The Prime Minister of Malaysia, in the light of his immense love for the Great Poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, delivered a lecture on “Echoes of Iqbal: Charting a Future of Renewal and Progress” to NUST students and academic staff. He started with the Quranic verse and first thanked Prime Minister Shabaz Shareef, saying, “I am sincerely thankful for the warmth and hospitality extended to me by the government and people of Pakistan, and I hope that our two nations will continue to grow even closer and higher.” Then he praised NUST as one of the leading universities in the country, standing at 353, as per QS World University Rankings in such a short period as established in 1991. He mentioned that it’s a profound honor to be at NUST, calling the university a beacon of excellence in education, research, and innovation. He praised the University as the Landmark representing the destiny of Iqbal and the Muslim Ummah.
He praised Pakistan as the land that produced top scientists and named a few like Dr. Asifa Akhtar and Dr. Atta ur Rehman. He said beyond scientific inquiry, the poetry of the great Poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal is the overflow of powerful feelings and has a strong influence. He demonstrated a deep understanding of Iqbal’s thoughts that it has an essence of Sufism, Philosophy, and social justice. He said that the Ideological and conceptual narratives of Iqbal are pertinent today. He further explained that Iqbal’s poetic thoughts and wisdom of oneself, religion, modernity, Principles of Ijhtihad & Tajdeed, ego & self-realization as Khudi; have strong relevance and balanced growth toward an individual’s well-being. He recalled the timeless words of Great Iqbal, where he advised youth to live and Fly high like an Eagle. He quoted some of Iqbal’s great poems like Shikwa and Jawab-e-Shikwa, having great lessons for the Muslim Ummah. He beautifully quoted
“If Intellect is your Shield, then Love is your Sword”
He emphasized that the Universities in Malaysia should also teach the philosophy of Iqbal and the balance between Eman (Faith) and Aqal (Wisdom).
He also admired the founder of the Nation Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah while saying that we can see the reflection of Iqbal’s fundamental principles of belief, in Jinnah’s struggle and direction towards nation-building; as Jinnah faced immense historical pressure but still managed to establish the nation and good governance for the people of Pakistan, which is equally beneficial to the Ummah. He profoundly raised the slogan in Urdu,
“Malaysia and Pakistan Zindabad”
He highlighted that both countries are deeply rooted and mutually connected with the bonds of respect and share key ideas in the areas of trade, diplomacy, energy, agriculture, the halal industry, tourism, cultural exchanges, and fostering stronger people-to-people ties. Moreover, he applauded the combined efforts of both Pakistan and Malaysia to work together to counter Terrorism, radicalization, and extremism collectively. He also encouraged Pakistani youth and women’s role in the education and healthcare sectors. While addressing the students he further said that just like Iqbal’s philosophy of continual self-improvement, your journey here will shape not only your future but also the destiny of this nation.
At the end of his heart touchy speech, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude upon conferment of the doctorate honoris by NUST; saying, “With great humility, and in the spirit of Iqbal, I accept this honor on behalf of the people of Malaysia as a symbol of the deep intellectual and cultural connection between our nations.” He also took questions from students of the university.
Notable attendees of the event were Federal Minister for Commerce Mr. Jam Kamal Khan; Mr. Sajid Baloch, Secretary for Science and Technology, Foreign Secretary Ms. Amna Baloch; and a few cabinet members of Malaysia. An overwhelming number of students, NUST Faculty members, senior academics, think tank experts, and media professionals attended the Special Convocation. Later on, the Malaysian Prime Minister also thanked NUST on his social media pages.
Hence, the Malaysian Prime Minister’s visit underscores the growing ties between Pakistan and Malaysia, particularly in areas of economic cooperation and shared diplomatic priorities. Both countries witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) as well as the MoU between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. Additionally, the leaders from both countries exchanged views on regional and international matters of mutual interest, especially the Palestine conflict, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, and the evolving situation in the Middle East.
In addition, President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday conferred Pakistan’s highest civilian award on Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim in recognition of his support for Islamic causes and for being a great friend of Pakistan.
Later on, the Malaysian PM met with COAS, both dignitaries discussed bilateral strategic interests and regional security, and defense cooperation in the meeting. Meanwhile, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Prime Minister Ibrahim praised the Pakistan Armed Forces’ role in regional peace and stability, acknowledging their professionalism and sacrifices in combating terrorism. PM Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim invites Army Chief Munir to visit Malaysia. The COAS thanked the prime minister for the invitation and appreciated the successful visit to Pakistan, which will help further improve the enduring and historic ties between the two countries and the militaries.