ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Malaysia have renewed the pledge to further expand and strengthen bilateral strategic partnership and enhance multi-dimensional cooperation.

The understanding to this effect was reached at Pak-Malaysia bilateral political consultations held in Kuala Lumpur, said a statement of Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. The talks were co-chaired by Additional Foreign Secretary Pakistan Mumtaz Zahra Baloch and Malaysian Deputy Secretary General Dato’ Norman Bin Muhammad.

The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Malaysia relations and agreed to enhance cooperation in bilateral trade, investment, defence, security, agriculture, energy, health, education, science and technology. They also agreed to encourage parliamentary exchanges and people-to-people contacts including hiring of additional Pakistani manpower to Malaysia.

Expressing a convergence of views on a range of regional and global issues including regional peace and security, Islamophobia and climate change, the two sides reiterated their interest in close cooperation at multilateral platforms including at the United Nations and OIC. On the occasion, Pakistan also expressed a desire for enhanced engagement with Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) leading to a full-dialogue partnership.