Malaysia’s 69th National Day celebrated in Islamabad with a spirit of friendship and unity
Chief Guest Federal Minister Rana Tanveer highlights shared aspirations for stronger Pakistan-Malaysia Relations
Malaysia-Pakistan friendship goes beyond diplomacy, rooted in shared values and strong people-to-people bonds, Malaysian High Commissioner
Islamabad – 19 September, 2026 (Adnan Hameed): Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain extended warm felicitations to the government and people of Malaysia on the occasion of the country’s National Day, as he attended the celebrations as Chief Guest at a ceremony held at the Islamabad Serena Hotel.
The event was hosted by the Malaysian High Commission in Pakistan and brought together diplomats, senior government officials, members of the Malaysian community, media representatives and other distinguished guests, reflecting the longstanding friendship and close ties between Pakistan and Malaysia.
Among the prominent guests were Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan Atadjan Movlamov, and other senior diplomats and government officials.
Speaking on the occasion, Rana Tanveer Hussain congratulated Malaysia on its National Day and appreciated the country’s impressive economic and social development. He said Pakistan greatly values its longstanding relationship with Malaysia and remains committed to further strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, food security, investment and other areas of mutual interest.
The Minister highlighted Malaysia’s progress in industrial development, technology and economic diversification, saying its experience offered valuable lessons for developing countries. He expressed hope that Pakistan and Malaysia would continue to identify new avenues of cooperation for the mutual benefit of their peoples.
Malaysian High Commissioner Dato Azhar bin Mazlan thanked the Government of Pakistan and the distinguished guests for joining the celebrations. He highlighted the historic and fraternal bonds between the two countries, saying Pakistan-Malaysia relations are rooted in shared values, mutual respect and strong people-to-people contacts.
He noted that Malaysia celebrates its independence on August 31, 1957, while September 16 marks the formation of Malaysia in 1963. He said the two countries have maintained close and friendly relations for decades, with cooperation extending across political, economic, cultural and social spheres.
The High Commissioner also highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to Malaysia’s constitutional history, noting that Pakistani jurist Justice Abdul Hamid served as a member of the Reid Commission, which played an important role in drafting Malaysia’s Constitution.
He said more than 100,000 Pakistanis are currently living in Malaysia and contributing to the country’s economy, while maintaining strong social and cultural links with Pakistan.
The High Commissioner recalled that Pakistan-Malaysia relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2019. He also referred to recent high-level exchanges, including the Malaysian Prime Minister’s official visit to Pakistan in 2024 and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Malaysia in October 2025.
Highlighting economic cooperation, he said bilateral trade had reached around US$1.6 billion, while significant potential remained to further expand trade and investment between the two countries.
The formal proceedings began with the national anthems of Malaysia and Pakistan, followed by a ceremonial cake-cutting attended by the Chief Guest, the Malaysian High Commissioner and other dignitaries.
The celebrations also featured traditional Malaysian cultural and dance performances and a special art exhibition showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage.
The evening concluded with a dinner featuring Malaysian cuisine, providing guests an opportunity to experience the country’s culinary traditions while celebrating the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Malaysia.
