Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held one-on-one meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim at PM House in Islamabad on Thursday and discussed a raft of issues including bilateral ties, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The two leaders held meaningful and outcome-oriented in-depth discussions in a warm and cordial atmosphere.

The discussion covered a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest including those being faced by the Muslim Ummah.

They also discussed the mechanisms to enhance bilateral cooperation with a view to achieving concrete results in these areas.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Malaysian Prime Minister on Malaysia's upcoming Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim welcomed Pakistan's continued engagement with ASEAN as Sectoral Dialogue Partner and expressed support for further engagement between Pakistan and ASEAN as well as Pakistan's larger role in ASEAN.

Noting the long history of close cooperation between the two countries, both the Prime Ministers reaffirmed commitment to strengthen the mutually beneficial partnership.

In setting the tone and future direction of bilateral relations between the two countries, the two leaders stressed the importance of dialogue and exchanges of visits at all levels, and underlined the importance of the Joint Ministerial Commission, Bilateral Consultations and other mechanisms to enhance engagement at all levels.

Guard of honour

Visiting Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday was given the guard of honour as he arrived at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad to meet his counterpart Shehbaz Sharif and hold delegation-level talks, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

As Anwar Ibrahim arrived at the venue of the formal welcome ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warmly welcomed the foreign dignitary who arrived in Pakistan on a three-day state visit on Wednesday.

The national anthems of Pakistan and Malaysia were played as the foreign dignitary stood at the salute dais.

The smartly turned-out contingents of the armed forces presented the guard of honour which the Malaysian prime minister reviewed.

Both the prime ministers introduced their respective delegations to each other before proceeding to the bilateral meeting and delegation-level talks.

As a tradition, Prime Minister Ibrahim also planted a sapling in the lawn of the PM House.

Shehbaz Sharif calls for joint efforts to cement ties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the visit of the Malaysian Prime Minister to Pakistan underscores the shared commitment to peace, prosperity and regional development.

In a post on his X handle welcoming the Malaysian counterpart, the Prime Minister said he looks forward to fruitful discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister on strengthening bilateral ties and deepening cooperation.

Shehbaz Sharif called for collaborative efforts to build a brighter future for both Pakistan and Malaysia.