His Excellency Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, arrived in Malaysia today to strengthen bilateral ties and explore new avenues of cooperation. The Chairman’s visit follows his earlier trip in March 2025 for the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference and builds on his previous engagements in Kuala Lumpur as Prime Minister of Pakistan.
In the evening, Chairman Gilani addressed a distinguished gathering of the Malaysian business community at a dinner hosted in his honour. In his speech, he highlighted the deep-rooted relationship between Pakistan and Malaysia, emphasizing shared values, cultural affinity, and decades of cooperative engagement in political, economic, and social spheres.
“The bond between Pakistan and Malaysia runs deep, anchored in mutual respect and long-standing collaboration,” Chairman Gilani stated. “While bilateral trade currently stands at approximately US $1.5 billion annually, the full potential of our cooperation remains largely untapped. There are vast opportunities across sectors and industries awaiting visionary investment and collaboration.”
Chairman Gilani outlined Pakistan’s growing economic potential, citing its large and youthful population, strategic sectors, and investment-friendly environment. Key areas of opportunity include tourism and hospitality, infrastructure and construction, mining and natural resources, agribusiness, halal industry, and food processing. He also emphasized the importance of Malaysia’s continued role in bilateral trade, particularly in commodities such as palm oil.
To further facilitate investment, Chairman Gilani highlighted the role of Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a one-window platform designed to simplify investment processes, provide regulatory guidance, and coordinate with federal and provincial authorities. SIFC covers sectors including agriculture, energy, mining, industry infrastructure, tourism, privatization, IT, and telecom, providing Malaysian investors with a transparent and supportive environment to engage in large-scale projects.
Concluding his address, Chairman Gilani expressed optimism about the future of Pakistan-Malaysia collaboration: “Let us work together with vision, determination, and mutual trust to realise the full potential of our partnership, giving birth to new trade, shared growth, strong cultural ties, and enduring prosperity for both our countries and peoples.”
Long live Pakistan-Malaysia friendship!
