ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday said the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and Malaysia had discussed ways to convert the close bilateral ties into bilateral economic strategic partnership.

In an interview, he said the two sides had exchanged views to enhance bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including trade, investment, tourism, engineering, and defence.

The minister said the two countries had also signed three agreements during the prime minister’s ongoing visit to Malaysia. They include extradition treaty for extradition of criminals and fugitives between the two countries and social protection agreement to provide social reliefs to the Pakistani labor class in Malaysia.

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Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan’s remittances from Malaysia increased by thirty-five percent during 2018-19 and about 1.55 billion dollars are being transferred to Pakistan.

He said the two sides also exchanged views about the recently held Kuala Lumpur Summit and the Prime Minister emphasized that Pakistan does not want to divide the Muslim Ummah but rather wants promotion of economic cooperation among the Muslim countries.

Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to build a strong economic partnership and work together on issues affecting the Muslim Ummah.

The understanding came at talks between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at Putrajaya.

The two sides agreed for regular discussions to strengthen the trade and investment relations by removing barriers in key areas and develop linkages between the private sectors of two countries.

Both the sides also expressed commitment to build stronger ties in the areas of defense, law enforcement, tourism and education.