KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today that Pakistan’s proposal to become a full dialogue partner of Asean will be brought up for deliberation among leaders of the regional bloc.
“It will be brought up for discussion at the Asean leaders’ conference,” he told reporters briefly after performing the Aidiladha prayers at the Putra Mosque this morning, as quoted by Bernama.
Anwar was responding to Pakistan’s renewed push to elevate its current partnership with Asean — a move that, if approved, would allow Islamabad greater participation in Asean’s political and economic dialogues.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, was quoted yesterday as saying that his country was committed to strengthening regional cooperation and is seeking to upgrade its long-standing ties with Asean.
Pakistan has held the status of sectoral dialogue partner since 1993 — a limited form of engagement restricted to selected areas of cooperation. By becoming a full dialogue partner, Pakistan hopes to take part in ministerial-level meetings, engage in wider regional mechanisms such as the Asean Regional Forum, and boost strategic, economic, and security cooperation with member states.
Malaysia has expressed support for Pakistan’s aspirations, with Anwar previously stating in October last year that the country backed Islamabad’s efforts to deepen its engagement with Asean.
Separately, when asked about Pakistan’s positive response to his earlier offer to mediate in tensions with India, Anwar clarified that he had not taken on any official role.
“I have no role to play, I’m simply offering my opinion,” he said.
Earlier, the Prime Minister and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, performed the Aidiladha prayers with nearly 15,000 congregants at the Putra Mosque.
Dressed in a light blue baju Melayu, Anwar arrived at 7.50am and was received by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan.
He joined the congregation in reciting the takbir raya before performing the prayers, which were led by the Grand Imam of the Putra Mosque, Dr Muhamad Zakuwa Rodzali.
Anwar also listened to the Aidiladha sermon titled Korban dan Semangat Kebersamaan, which focused on the values of intention, proper conduct, and sincerity in carrying out the sacrificial rites.
Before leaving, he took time to greet and shake hands with members of the congregation. – June 7, 2025