ISLAMABAD: The Malaysian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ambassador Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, hosted an “Iftar Dinner Reception for Pakistan’s Former Participants of the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP)” at the Malaysian High Commission in Islamabad.
The event was attended by distinguished guests, including officials from Pakistan’s key ministries, the Malaysian High Commission, and Pakistan’s former participants of the MTCP. The reception aimed to promote ongoing engagement and foster a lasting and robust friendship between the officials of both countries.
During the reception, Ambassador Azhar welcomed the guests and highlighted the key aspects of the program. He emphasized that the event aimed to strengthen relations and enhance networking between the High Commission of Malaysia in Islamabad and Pakistan’s former MTCP participants.
Ambassador Azhar reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to its bilateral relations with Pakistan, spanning areas such as trade, investment, education, tourism, culture, defense, and technical assistance in human capital development.
The MTCP, launched officially on 7 September 1980 at the Second Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, signifies Malaysia’s dedication to South-South Cooperation, particularly in technical cooperation among developing countries. Its primary objective is to achieve sustainable economic and social development among participant countries.
The MTCP, a flagship program of the Malaysian government, focuses on providing technical assistance and capacity-building to developing countries.
It prioritized human resource development through training, short-term courses in Malaysian training institutions, and long-term courses in Malaysian public universities. The program also aims to cultivate potential participants who would later serve as ‘Friends of Malaysia’ and encourages collaboration with new development partners beyond MTCP’s traditional allies.
Annually, Malaysia’s MTCP offers over 60 technical training and capacity-building programs in collaboration with leading local training institutions and international partners. Since its inception, the MTCP has benefitted thousands of participants from various countries, including Pakistan, by offering training and knowledge-sharing opportunities in diverse fields.
Ambassador Azhar expressed Malaysia’s desire to encourage more participation from Pakistani officials in the MTCP, citing its benefits for bilateral relations and career development. He reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Pakistan through initiatives like the MTCP.
Maryam Mushtaq, Assistant Director of Economic Diplomacy and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a former MTCP participant, expressed gratitude to the Malaysian government for efficiently managing the program. She highlighted the professional skills enhancement and cultural immersion opportunities provided by the MTCP, expressing hope for its continued success in benefiting participants from various countries, including Pakistan.
