Shehbaz receives Malaysian PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday warmly received Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is undertaking a three-day official visit to Pakistan.

Upon his arrival at the airport, children clad in traditional attire presented bouquets to the Malaysian premier. He was also given a static guard of honour by smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan Army while 21 guns boomed in the background as gesture of warm welcome.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and members of the federal cabinet were also present to welcome the visiting dignitary.

The Malaysian prime minister is accompanied by a high-level delegation. During his stay, he will hold meetings with the leadership of Pakistan.

Premier Anwar Ibrahim is undertaking the official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The two sides will discuss a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen Pakistan-Malaysia ties in diverse fields, including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, halal industry, tourism, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts. They will also discuss regional and global developments.

“Pakistan and Malaysia enjoy strong bilateral ties anchored in history, culture and faith. This visit provides an important opportunity to further strengthen Pakistan-Malaysia relations,” the Foreign Office said in an earlier press release.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the entire Muslim Ummah is proud of religious scholar Dr Zakir Naik for spreading the true image of Islam to the world. He was talking to Dr Zakir Naik who called on him here on Wednesday.

Welcoming the prominent Muslim scholar at the Prime Minister’s House, Shehbaz said he listens to Naik’s lectures with great interest, which are very enlightening and impactful. “Islam is a religion of peace, and you are doing an important duty by spreading the true message of Islam among people,” he told Naik.

The prime minister remarked that he was happy to know that Dr Zakir Naik’s son was also following his footsteps and serving Islam. He was happy to note that a majority of followers and listeners of Dr Zakir Naik are youth. Shehbaz, on the occasion, mentioned his first interaction with Dr Naik in 2006.

Dr Zakir Naik said Pakistan is the only country in the world that was created in the name of Islam. He said Islam is a complete code of life that provides people guidance in every matter. He said spreading the message of Islam worldwide was his mission as success lies in following the path of Islam. “My mission is to introduce message of the Islam across the world,” he said.

He apprised the prime minister that he would deliver lectures in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. He recalled that the memories of his very first visit to Pakistan in 1991, were still fresh in his mind. The prime minister expressed his best wishes for Dr Naik.

The scholar, who is accompanied by his son Shaikh Farooq Naik, will stay in Pakistan till October 28 and would also lead Friday prayers.