ISLAMABAD – The government of Pakistan conferred Nishan-e-Pakistan, the country’s highest civilian award, upon Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday.
President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the award on visiting dignitary, recognizing his steadfast commitment to Islamic causes and his strong ties with Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, federal ministers, military chiefs, diplomats, and senior government officials, underscoring the importance of this diplomatic relationship.
During the ceremony, President Zardari highlighted Anwar Ibrahim’s admiration for Poet of East Allama Iqbal, noting that the Malaysian leader draws inspiration from the philosopher-poet’s teachings. Anwar’s career has been marked by his advocacy for humanitarian issues and his emphasis on social justice, particularly concerning challenges faced by the Muslim world.
Anwar’s efforts to combat Islamophobia and promote interfaith harmony reflect his commitment to fostering understanding among diverse cultures and religions.
Pakistan and Malaysia reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, economy, banking, food technology, and agriculture during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
President emphasized importance of the relationship and noted that the visit would further strengthen ties. Zardari also expressed concerns about Israel’s actions in Gaza, urging the international community to intervene. Prime Minister Anwar shared that he had productive discussions with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif during his visit.
