Islamabad (TDI): Dato’ Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan, has reaffirmed Kuala Lumpur’s commitment to expanding economic and business ties with Islamabad, announcing that Malaysia is prepared to scale up imports of halal meat and agricultural products to rebalance bilateral trade.
Addressing the business community at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), the envoy said that while political relations between the two countries remain strong and historically rooted, trade volumes have yet to reach their full potential.
He recalled that Pakistan was among the earliest nations to recognize Malaysia’s independence in 1957 and supported its constitutional development, describing the relationship as one built on brotherhood and mutual respect. “The political goodwill is firmly in place; now we must convert it into tangible business outcomes,” he stressed.
Referring to the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Malaysia last year, the High Commissioner noted that seven Memorandums of Understanding were signed, including a landmark agreement in the halal sector.
Under this framework, Malaysia committed to importing up to $200 million worth of halal meat annually from Pakistan. Of that amount, approximately $100 million has already been imported, he said.
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Beyond meat exports, Malaysia is also sourcing potatoes, onions and basmati rice from Pakistan, which currently ranks as the second-largest rice supplier to Malaysia.
However, with bilateral trade hovering between $1.6 billion and $1.8 billion annually, and tilted in Malaysia’s favor, the envoy acknowledged that significant untapped potential remains.
As a net food importer serving a population of 34 million, Malaysia sees strong prospects for increasing imports of Pakistani poultry, dairy products and other agricultural commodities. The goal, he said, is not only to expand trade but also to create a more balanced economic partnership.
Highlighting the importance of structured engagement, he called for sector-focused collaboration between ICCI and Malaysian business chambers, while candidly pointing to the need to bridge perception gaps and build greater trust between business communities.
People-to-people ties also featured prominently in his remarks. Over 100,000 Pakistanis reside in Malaysia, contributing an estimated $400–500 million annually in remittances.
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Strong air connectivity between major Pakistani cities and Kuala Lumpur further supports trade, tourism and investment flows.
Looking ahead, the High Commissioner identified pharmaceuticals and emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, as promising avenues for cooperation.
With Malaysia projected to become an aging society by 2030, demand for healthcare and pharmaceutical products is expected to rise, creating opportunities for Pakistani exporters.
Simultaneously, collaboration under Malaysia’s industrial transformation and digital initiatives could harness Pakistan’s large youth population and growing technological capabilities.
ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood welcomed the renewed push, emphasizing that halal meat exports alone present immediate potential of up to $200 million annually.
