Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and his Malaysian counterpart Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Wednesday expressed mutual desire to further expand and deepen bilateral economic and political ties, and agreed on the need to restructure the OIC to project Islam in its true spirit. Speaking to reporters after the formal talks at the PM House, the two leaders expressed resolve to explore areas that offered tremendous benefits to the two countries. The two leaders held one-on-one meeting that lasted for about half an hour and covered wide spectrum of bilateral political and economic issues and regional and international issues of mutual interests.
They were later joined by their respective delegations for formal round of talks.
"Pakistan and Malaysia are very close to each other and tied with many bonds i.e. historical, religious, cultural and economic," Shaukat Aziz said.
He described the talks as 'very comprehensive' that touched upon almost all areas of mutual interest with special focus on promoting economic and trade ties.
The Prime Minister told his Malaysian counterpart about the economic gains achieved during the past few years that have put the country on the path of robust growth.
The two sides held talks on the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) that would eventually lead to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to promote economic relations.
Shaukat Aziz invited the Malaysian businessmen to benefit from Pakistan's investment-friendly climate that offered numerous opportunities in wide range of areas.
He specially identified areas of housing, information technology and telecommunication where the two countries can collaborate to their mutual interests.
The two sides also talked on the Joint Investment Company to promote investment and economic relations.
The Malaysian Premier appreciated the strides Pakistan has made in economic field and expressed his country's keen desire to further deepen and expand the bilateral ties. He, however, expressed his dissatisfaction over the volume of trade and added that there were tremendous opportunities in various fields to increase the two-way trade.
Abdullah Badawi particularly identified the areas of the finance, food, agriculture and telecommunication, where the two countries can work for tremendous benefits through multiple co-operation.
The Prime Minister apprised his Malaysian counterpart on the developments in the region and Pakistan's relations with its neighbouring countries including India. He said Pakistan desires peace in the region and wants to settle all issues through peaceful means.
Shaukat Aziz apprised the Malaysian Premier of Pakistan's position on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir that the issue must be resolved in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Badawi appreciated Pakistan's efforts for peace and stability in the region, especially on resolving the issue of Kashmir and promoting co-operation through Saarc.
The Malaysian Prime Minister said his country would be happy to have Pakistani workers in Malaysia and the two sides would hold discussion to set the modalities.
The two leaders also discussed the need of strengthening Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) to counter misperception about Islam.
Responding to a question, Badawi fully supported President Musharraf's vision of enlightened moderation.
The two countries also agreed to co-operate in human resource development in the OIC member countries.
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