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  • Feb 18th, 2005
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Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to develop true partnership in economic development, trade and investment. Addressing a press conference, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that his meetings with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz were very positive as both sides agreed on close cooperation in economic development, trade and investment. "We will be able to develop true partnership in economic development and I am happy with the progress made by my cabinet colleagues and their Pakistani counterparts along with businessmen of both the countries," Badawai said, adding that the huge attendance of business people was an indication of high level of interest in economic cooperation.

He said it was the desire of the leadership of both Pakistan and Malaysia that understanding for closer cooperation should be translated into reality at the earliest.

Badawi, however, expressed his concern over the volume of investment made by Malaysians in Pakistan, saying that investment figures were encouraging at present, but both countries intended to enhance economic relations.

Replying to a question regarding possible handing over of Buhary Syed Abu Tahir, allegedly a ring member of Dr A Q Khan network, to the United States, the Malaysian Prime Minister said that there was no such proposal under consideration.

"Our intelligence people are interrogating him (Tahir) but will not hand him over to any other country," Badawi clarified.

"Obviously, there are lot of things we would like to know from him," he said.

Answering another question pertaining to current US-Iran tension, the Malaysian premier proposed that both countries should resolve the issue through dialogue and diplomatic channels.

Badawi further said that the OIC should play its role to defuse the current tension. He added that no member of the OIC would like a repetition of what happened to Iraq, in Iran.

The Malaysian Prime Minister was of the view that the best solution of the problem would be diplomatic and his people (diplomats) were actively engaged with the US authorities and OIC member countries to defuse the tension, adding that as the Chairman of OIC he was concerned over the current stand off between Iran and the US.

When asked if there was any move to establish a media agency by the OIC members to counter wrong the image of Islam as presented by the Western media, Badawi admitted that Islamic countries were very weak in media as compared to the West and added that there should be a strong Islamic media to present Islam as a progressive religion.

About the import of manpower from Pakistan, he said the process was delayed due to 9/11 incident. The Malaysian Prime Minister said the issue has been discussed in the meeting and very soon all the details will be worked out to import Pakistani manpower.

Answering a question, he said that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would be finalised as early as possible but did not give specific timeframe in this regard. Badawi was of the view that both countries have to identify the items to be covered in the agreement in the first place.

He said that it was necessary to eliminate poverty to wipeout terrorism at international level, adding that he was too much worried about the increasing level of poverty in Muslim world as poor people can easily be exploited and used for terrorism.

On a question, how he could guide Pakistan to become more stronger, the Malaysian Prime Minister said he was not in Pakistan to teach the leadership, what he could say was that both countries should cooperate with each other as it would be beneficial for both.

Badawi said he was aware that Pakistani leadership was eager to have very strong working relationship with Malaysia.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005


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