PM Khan receives Malaysian premier Dr Mahathir at Nur Khan airbase
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Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrived in Islamabad on Thursday evening for a three-day visit to Pakistan.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Malaysian premier is visiting on the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan, and will be the chief guest at the Pakistan Day parade on March 23.
Mahathir was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including several leading businessmen.
He was received at Nur Khan airbase by the prime minister, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Khusro Bakhtiar, and was given a 21-gun salute and presented with a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival.
Razak Dawood, the prime minister's advisor on commerce, said memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering $800-$900 million worth of investments with Malaysian investors would be signed on Friday, Radio Pakistan reported.
The memoranda will cover deals in IT, telecom, power generation, textile, agriculture, and halal food industries, according to Radio Pakistan.
“We believe Malaysia will be an opening for us to the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) countries,” Dawood said.
The Malaysian prime minister's bilateral engagements also include a call on President Arif Alvi, and a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, followed by delegation-level talks, state radio network reported.
The two prime ministers are scheduled to speak at the roundtable meeting of the chief executive officers, who desire to invest in Pakistan’s automobile and telecommunication sectors.
Meanwhile, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr. Muhammad Faisal, in a statement said the visit of the Malaysian prime minister will further cement the existing brotherly and friendly relations between the two countries.
He said the focus of the visit will be on enhancing economic, trade, investment, and defence ties for the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have also each offered Islamabad loan packages of $3 billion.
During a visit in February, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had signed investment agreements worth $20 billion with Islamabad, including a $10 billion refinery and petrochemicals complex in the southwestern port city of Gwadar.
Neighbouring China has pledged nearly $60 billion for energy and road and rail infrastructure projects as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), known as China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
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Comments (74) Closed
Mar 21, 2019 06:52pm
Its good news
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Mar 21, 2019 07:03pm
Another welcome and much needed investment opportunity under PMIK.
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Mar 21, 2019 07:10pm
800-900 million dollar delas should be done over the phone. Visits should be meant for more than atleast 10 billion dollar deals.
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Mar 21, 2019 07:19pm
Malaysia has about $98 bln reserves. They can afford to pledge deposit of few billion dollars. Also they can give edible oil on deferred payment.
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Mar 21, 2019 07:53pm
@Moin, and what are you proposing they get in return?
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Mar 21, 2019 07:57pm
@Sriniwas, worry at your level.
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Mar 21, 2019 08:06pm
Mahathir is a role-model leader who turned Malaysia into an economic powerhouse, look at the difference the right leaders can make to a country.
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Mar 21, 2019 08:11pm
@Sriniwas, He is here to participate in Pakistan Day activities. Whatever he's pledging in terms of money(or business deals) is a show of faith in people of Pakistan. Peace.
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Mar 21, 2019 08:13pm
Prime Minister Mahatir’s wisdom and leadership is well respected and proven in terms of bringing economic self sufficiency, peace and harmony to the Malaysian people. Pakistan can benefit most by listening to him and replicating his policies. Investment deals are of secondary importance
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Mar 21, 2019 08:15pm
More investment, improvement if foreign relations. Good progress by the current government
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Mar 21, 2019 08:31pm
@Moin, always looking for somebody to help you or deferred payments. need to grow up.
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Mar 21, 2019 08:32pm
@Sriniwas, not necessarily. the early harvest is likely this amount, there could be very much more in the pipeline that requires more groundwork. why are indians so interested is the question?
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Mar 21, 2019 08:35pm
Dr Mahatir, a very fine leader. Welcome.
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Mar 21, 2019 08:39pm
So much for isolating Pakistan.
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Mar 21, 2019 08:40pm
@Sriniwas, Are you an ad hoc Financial Adviser of your Govt before the Elections? What fantastic figures?
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Mar 21, 2019 08:46pm
Only $800-900 million?
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Mar 21, 2019 08:49pm
Malaysian universities are major destination for Pakistani students. Pakistan should formalize student exchanges and obtain scholarships for The students to study technical subjects in Malaysian universities.
There is also opportunity for collaboration with the Malaysian electricity utility TNB to learn for Pakistani DISCOs how to control electricity theft and losses.
People should reduce the use of palm oil and tea so that valuable foreign exchange can be saved in this difficult time.
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Mar 21, 2019 08:51pm
@Sriniwas, Is this a rule? Investments are investment, regardless of the amount involved initially; it may end up in billions of dollar in investments in the coming years.
Long live Pakistan Malaysia friendship !
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Mar 21, 2019 09:05pm
@Zak, It is peanuts
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Mar 21, 2019 09:13pm
Having built a vibrant economy there are many things to learn from Malaysia and such cooperation essentially benefits Pakistani society plus the economy..
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Mar 21, 2019 09:17pm
IK you are doing great as PM.... consider shuffling your team and keeping your squad on their toes with no other option but to perform...there is a serious slack in many important areas.
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Mar 21, 2019 09:19pm
Generally, full cabinet and COAS receive our guests in the airport and then during the see off. Is it the same this time? Good to see over $500 billions are invested in Pakistan after IK came in power.
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Mar 21, 2019 09:26pm
@Moin, if nation is ready to deferred baby production then Malaysia will also deferred edible oil payments.
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Mar 21, 2019 09:34pm
@Sriniwas, I can only laugh at your comment.
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Mar 21, 2019 09:40pm
@Moin, nothing more to say.
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Mar 21, 2019 09:42pm
$800 million is investment or loan?
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Mar 21, 2019 09:45pm
Welcome Mr.Prime Minister.
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Mar 21, 2019 09:45pm
It is vision and dignity of our PM that he is thniking to uplift all the sectors of Pakistan. So it is the need of time to use all your manner and views and sources to overcome all the hurdels on the way. We wants Pakistan a strong and ideological one.
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Mar 21, 2019 09:45pm
UAE recently scrapped the schedule $4billion deposit to Pakistan.
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Mar 21, 2019 09:50pm
@Sriniwas, You can blabber all you want but every investment no matter how small is important to us.
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Mar 21, 2019 09:52pm
Things appear to be moving in the right direction for Pakistan. Negative news are disappearing and positive ones are on the rise.
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Mar 21, 2019 09:58pm
@bhaRAT©, RAT, what investment are you talking about?
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Mar 21, 2019 10:02pm
@Sriniwas, How does any of this even concern you? How Pakistan and other countries leaders deal with trade or business will not and does not make it anyone's business but Pakistan's.
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Mar 21, 2019 10:05pm
@imraan, Business, which will further deepen their pockets, add to their reserves. Either your thinking is limited, or.......... I'll leave it to that
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Mar 21, 2019 10:08pm
@Sriniwas, Why are Indians so worried about Pakistan?
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Mar 21, 2019 10:10pm
@Sriniwas, Sir/Miss, Can you tell me, why are you worried?
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Mar 21, 2019 10:13pm
@FDI, If this is a small figure, could you invest this much money to Pakistan? It is Malaysian gesture which is the biggest thing.
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Mar 21, 2019 10:13pm
Welcome to Pakistan Mr. Mahathir. The great statesman our great PM Imran Khan looks up to!
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Mar 21, 2019 10:17pm
Welcome to great leader of brotherly country.
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Mar 21, 2019 10:19pm
Why there is an Negative Indian comment at anything positive about Pakistan. Like seriously y’all don’t have your own newspaper.
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Mar 21, 2019 10:49pm
Although neighbours will be saying 800-900 million what they forget is that this is just the start. Pakistan is ear marked to be a super economy in next 10 years see pwc report.
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Mar 21, 2019 10:51pm
@Sriniwas, what is your problem?
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Mar 21, 2019 11:08pm
@Moin, "Malaysia has about $98 bln reserves. They can afford to pledge deposit of few billion dollars. "
That money was earned by sweat of malaysians. It is troubling to see that you that money as your right or some trivial tribute that malaysians ought to make.
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Mar 21, 2019 11:11pm
Great. It is nice to see everyone coming to Pakistan.
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Mar 21, 2019 11:12pm
@Sriniwas, Correct, but that's the start.
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Mar 21, 2019 11:41pm
@Sriniwas, these visits are not just about investment deals. Investment is a part of it. These visits have great impact on foreign relations and policy plus strengthening of ties and future plans.
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Mar 21, 2019 11:54pm
@Zak, They literally have one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Not sure your comment is relevant?
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Mar 21, 2019 11:58pm
Visitors bringing their investment dollars. A positive position going forward...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
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Mar 22, 2019 12:04am
@Sriniwas,
Don’t expect you to understand but Sometimes it’s not just about numbers.
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Mar 22, 2019 12:37am
Great Muslim leader. An example to all.
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Mar 22, 2019 12:40am
Nice steps taken by Pakistan
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Mar 22, 2019 12:46am
Bravo Bravo.
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Mar 22, 2019 12:46am
Good
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Mar 22, 2019 12:53am
We greet the mighty nation of Malaysia.. wish well relations between them
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Mar 22, 2019 01:23am
@Sriniwas, the business and trade delegations from Malaysia want to talk in person. There not just going to talk over the phone. Also meeting in person shows good relations.
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Mar 22, 2019 01:43am
If the conditions and environment for investment is conducive in a country, investments will come. One really does not need to do anything, much less the PM. Leave this matter to the Chambers of Commerce. PM should ensure security, law and order, and increase buying power of the people.
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Mar 22, 2019 01:54am
Some relief in our debt replacement.
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Mar 22, 2019 02:19am
Our PM is keeping promises, inward investment is happening and just look at the progress in the last 6 months, well done.
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Mar 22, 2019 03:01am
@Sriniwas,
Grapes seem to be too sour i think..
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Mar 22, 2019 03:19am
InshaALLAH under PTI we'll see changed Pakistan soon. All these foreign investements are first step in developing our economy. Pakistan is a huge investement opportunity for West and its only a matter of time before they'll start investing in Pakistan!
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Mar 22, 2019 04:21am
Welcome to great leaders he is great person we hope new door for business will be open
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Mar 22, 2019 04:23am
@Zak, Pakistani American business association can help home country to start small scale businesses like corner stores, petrol pumps, mobile phone stores and small scale retail shops.
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Mar 22, 2019 04:50am
Not happy as PMIK did not drive him. Don't like discrimination
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Mar 22, 2019 05:49am
@Sriniwas, It's going to be the beginning of the $12 Billion deal which was done 2 months ago with the visit of IK to Malaysia and another deal is on its way for JF17 Thunder which Malaysia is very very keen to purchase,.
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Mar 22, 2019 05:54am
We Welcome Malaysian Premier Dr.Mahathir into Pakistan and their investment into Pakisan's automobile and telecommunication sectors.Thanks to Imran Khan's efforts to make our country progressive and welfare state.(Texas )
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Mar 22, 2019 06:18am
Pakistanis should stop looking at other countries wallets and overhaul their own economy and tax system to be self reliant. The US has treated Pakistanis with its aid for very long, so the Pakistanis did not look into themselves to become self-reliant. This is a blessing in disguise that the US and IMF has withheld its aid which was spoiling Pakistan. Please let us avail of this blessing now!
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Mar 22, 2019 06:43am
Welcome Honourable Sir. The entire nation welcomes you. Hopefully our relationship will improve further with Malaysia. Weldone Imran Khan. Long Live Pakistan.
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Mar 22, 2019 06:45am
Good idea to ask a loan from Malaysia? Ik is really doing well on this front. Keep up the good work!
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Mar 22, 2019 06:59am
@Jamil , dreaming is good but not in day.
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Mar 22, 2019 07:08am
That is great news!
How come such deals never got signed during Zardari and Sharif governments?
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Mar 22, 2019 07:43am
@wasim, Agreed. Hope the honorable PM pays heed to your recommendation. Otherwise a very good job so far.
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Mar 22, 2019 08:37am
Welcome Dr.Mahatir. We love you and are proud of your genuineness and leadership. May you prosper.
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Mar 22, 2019 10:50am
@team, "RAT, what investment are you talking about?"
Talking about yourself?
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Mar 23, 2019 08:41pm
Love you Malaysia from Pakistan.
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