Islamabad (GNP): Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dato’ Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, and his spouse, To’ Puan Amelia Amani Lee Abdullah, hosted an Appreciation Hi-Tea at the Malaysian High Commission in Islamabad. Diplomats, Pakistani officials, business leaders, think tank representatives and friends of Malaysia attended.
The event thanked the High Commission’s partners and stakeholders for their friendship, support and cooperation over the years, and gave guests a chance to reconnect.
In his opening remarks, Azhar said the gathering was more than a gesture of thanks, as it also reflected Malaysia’s belief in building a better world through peace, progress and prosperity. These principles, he said, have long guided Malaysia’s foreign policy, including its commitment to peaceful coexistence, dialogue, negotiation and the peaceful settlement of disputes. He urged guests from different countries, institutions and communities to keep promoting understanding and cooperation despite differences in outlook.
He thanked the Government and people of Pakistan for their hospitality towards the High Commission and the Malaysian community, and singled out the cooperation of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Interior and of provincial authorities.
Azhar recalled the visit of ASEAN Heads of Mission to Sindh, which included meetings with the Governor and Chief Minister, engagements with Karachi’s business community and interaction with university students. He stressed the importance of engaging young people on economic prosperity, regional security and peace.
He noted the long friendship between the two countries, including Pakistan’s early recognition of Malaysia’s independence in August 1957 and the upgrading of relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2019. He also acknowledged the historical contributions of Pakistanis to Malaysia, going back to the pre-independence period, and the role of the roughly 100,000-strong Pakistani community there in the country’s development.
Azhar praised the active role of the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad, citing its recent joint courtesy call on Pakistan’s newly appointed Foreign Secretary and the expected first visit of the ASEAN Secretary-General to Pakistan later in November.
He pointed to ASEAN’s growing economic weight, particularly after Timor-Leste joined as its eleventh member. With ASEAN’s combined economy at about USD 4 trillion and Pakistan’s population at around 250 million, he said, there is considerable room for closer economic collaboration.
Azhar promoted Malaysia as a destination for tourism, education and business under the Visit Malaysia campaign, which has been extended through 2027. Malaysia received about 42 million international visitors in 2025 and is aiming for 47 million in 2026. He encouraged more Pakistanis to visit and recalled attending, as chief guest, an Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry event in Kuala Lumpur as an example of close business links.
About 5,000 Pakistani students are studying in Malaysia, making Pakistan one of the leading source countries for international students there. He urged more to consider Malaysia, citing cultural similarities, shared values and a welcoming environment.
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He also identified the halal industry as a promising area for cooperation, noting Malaysia’s established halal ecosystem, food technology expertise and international experience, which could complement Pakistan’s strengths in agriculture and food production. He expressed confidence that closer collaboration would bring tangible benefits to both economies.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
