Ambassador Dato’ Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan, delivered a lecture at Quaid-e-Azam University, one of Pakistan’s premier academic institutions. Upon arrival, Amb. Dato’ Azhar and his delegation received a warm welcome from Professor Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, along with lecturers and staff.
During the enlightening session, Amb. Dato’ Azhar highlighted the strong bilateral relations between Malaysia and Pakistan, particularly focusing on trade and economic cooperation, tourism, and the significant people-to-people connections that unite the two nations. He elaborated on how these aspects have bolstered the strategic partnership, fostering mutual growth and understanding. The session was attended by academics, staff, and approximately 120 students from the international relations discipline.
The presentation also delved into various facets, shedding light on Malaysia’s foreign policies, its role within ASEAN, and Malaysia’s commitment to regional stability and development, among other topics. Additionally, Amb. Dato’ Azhar underscored the importance of the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP) in capacity building and development cooperation between Malaysia and Pakistan.
A substantial portion of the lecture was dedicated to promoting educational opportunities in Malaysia for Pakistani students. Amb. Dato’ Azhar emphasized that Malaysia provides an ideal environment for students, boasting state-of-the-art facilities and globally recognized education standards, all within a Muslim-friendly setting. He proudly mentioned that, as of 2024, nearly 5,000 Pakistani students are pursuing their studies in various higher education institutions across Malaysia.
The lecture by His Excellency not only offered valuable insights into the dynamic relations between Malaysia and Pakistan but also inspired students to consider Malaysia as a destination for higher education. The event concluded with an engaging Question-and-Answer session, enabling students to directly interact with the High Commissioner. Students posed questions on topics such as the Palestine-Israel conflict, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the situation in Jammu & Kashmir, and the neutrality between superpowers, further enhancing their understanding of these issues.
Following the lecture, attendees had the opportunity to savor the rich flavors of Malaysian cuisine as they were served Nasi Lemak & Ayam Goreng (coconut rice and fried chicken), a popular Malaysian delicacy. This culinary experience symbolized the cultural exchange and friendship between Malaysia and Pakistan and was part of a cultural promotion aimed at introducing students to Malaysia’s rich and diverse culinary heritage.
The session is part of the ongoing efforts by the High Commission of Malaysia in Islamabad to strengthen bilateral ties through educational and cultural exchanges within Pakistan’s higher education institutions, fostering people-to-people contact between Malaysia and Pakistan.
