MANSEHRA: Malaysian high commissioner to Pakistan Dato Dr Hasural Sani Bin Mujtabar on Saturday urged Pakistani students to focus on their education to turn their country into another Asian tiger (economic power).

“We are Asian tiger and whatever distinction we have achieved is just because of education. I would also ask you to put all your energies in education to make your country another Asian tiger,” said the high commissioner while speaking at the 17th parents day function of Jinnah Basic School and College here. Federal religious minster Sardar Mohammad Yousuf, college principal Fayyaz Ahmad and administrator Faraz Khan Swati were also present on the occasion.

The high commissioner said the ancestors of former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir

Mohammad belonged to Hazara region before their migrated to southeastern Asian country and that he worked day and night to turn his country into an Asian tiger.

He said people of his country considered Pakistan their second home and that they were keen to further strengthen brotherly relations with Pakistan.

“Our people consider your country second home. They want your country to excel in science and technology for progress,” he said. He also invited Pakistanis to their country for higher education.

“Our doors are open to Pakistani students for higher education in an Islamic environment and at very cheap rate compared with western countries.

“We have been hosting over 4,000 Pakistani students at our universities.

We would welcome if more come to our land for higher education,” he said.

Mujtabar said over 80,000 Pakistanis served in Malaysia to contribute to the country’s development and that the people of his country appreciated Pakistanis’ role in development.

He said Pakistan was a big importer of Malaysian palm and olive oil and that was a big bond between people of the two countries.

The high commissioner praised the natural beauty of Mansehra and said the region was the land of natural habitat and beauty.

He announced his country would issue visas to students and faculty members of Jinnah Basic School and College for an education tour.

Earlier, college principal Fayyaz welcomed the high commissioner to the college and said Malaysia and Pakistan should begin a student exchange programme.

“We already have a student exchange programme with Sri Lanka and some other countries. If Malaysia and Pakistan begin such a programme, their brotherly relations will further strengthen,” said Fayyaz.

Later, minister Sardar Mohammad Yousuf gave away Rs10,000 scholarship to 32 students each.

Published in Dawn, November 16th , 2014