Mahathir offers cooperation to Imran in tackling corruption
islamabad — Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Friday offered Pakistan cooperation in combating corruption to avert losses to its economy and also called for extending its scope to other Muslim countries.
Addressing a Press conference with Prime Minister Imran Khan at the PM House, Mahathir said Malaysia was much concerned about the negative impact of corruption and believed it hampered socioeconomic development of masses.
Dr Mahathir said money stolen by public office bearers must be recovered and spent on development budget. He seconded the vision of Prime Minister Khan that corruption affected a country by making its people poor.
“We can exchange information with each other to combat corruption and share a mechanism with other Muslim states so as to help them ensure development,” Mahathir said, who earlier presented a book to Imran Khan on the subject of fighting corruption.
Khan said Dr Mahathir was a role model for the Muslim world who brought about improvement in the living standard of his countrymen.
He said Pakistanis admired Dr Mahathir for taking a bold stance on issues confronting Muslims across the world and stressed his vibrant role in the current scenario particularly addressing the challenge of Islamophobia.
Dr Mahathir, who earlier held a one-on-one meeting with Imran Khan, said he was glad to renew friendship between Malaysia and Pakistan and called for identifying areas where the two countries could explore opportunities, especially in
I am happy to join you in celebrating Pakistan Day. We have been very well received by PM Khan and the government of Pakistan. We have held bilateral discussions on significant issues affecting Pakistan, Malaysia and the larger Muslim world
Dr Mahathir Mohamad,
Malaysian Prime Minister
trade and power generation.
He stressed upon Muslim countries to strive to attain development, adding that Malaysia had converged its energies to achieve the 2025 goals of development.
About the growing trend of Islamophobia, the Malaysian prime minister said that by winning hearts and minds, Muslims could change the negative perception about them.
Mahathir said he discussed the issue of terrorism with Imran Khan and emphasized mutual cooperation to counter the negative mindset. He expressed the confidence that his visit would enable the two governments to improve bilateral trade and investment.
On the importance of economydriven politics in 21st century, he said Malaysia achieved success by looking towards Japan and other developed countries, adding the country was ready to share its expertise with Pakistan in relevant areas. —