KARACHI: The Consulate General of Malaysia in Karachi called a press conference on Thursday to apprise journalists of Malaysia’s strong presence at the Pakistan Travel Mart 2026 (PTM 2026) starting on Friday at the Karachi Expo Centre, and invited everyone to visit the Malaysia pavilion there.

“Pakistan has consistently remained an important partner for Malaysia in the tourism sector,” said the Consul General of Malaysia in Karachi, Herman Hardynata Ahmad.

“Malaysia is proud to offer a diverse range of experiences that cater to the evolving experiences of global travellers. From vibrant cities and pristine islands to rich cultural heritage and world class hospitality, Malaysia truly embodies the essence Asia,” he said.

“Our engagement at PTM 2026, reflects the broader strength of Malaysia-Pakistan relations, which continue to grow across multiple sectors, including trade, education and tourism,” the Consul General added, while stressing that “tourism” in particular remains a vital pillar in strengthening people-to-people ties, fostering mutual understanding between nations.

“Malaysia remains a premier holiday destination for the Pakistani market, offering diverse experiences, rich cultural attractions and halal-friendly tourism products tailored to the preferences of Pakistani travellers,” he said.

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia is returning to PTM 2026 after a five-year hiatus.

The participation marks a strategic re-engagement with Pakistan’s travel trade and consumers. Tourism Malaysia’s presence at PTM 2026 is bolstered by a delegation of eight tourism organisations. These companies will engage in structured business-to-business meetings and networking sessions with Pakistani travel trade stakeholders. The primary objectives are to develop market-ready travel packages, strengthen distribution partnerships and explore joint promotional opportunities to stimulate travel demand to Malaysia.

While speaking on the occasion, the Director of Tourism Malaysia, Mohammad Faharuddin Hatmin said that they were delighted to re-engage with Pakistan’s travel market at PTM 2026.

“We invite you to visit our Malaysia pavilion at the Karachi Expo Centre during PTM-2026 and meet our delegation,” he said, adding that Pakistan continues to be a consistent contributor to Malaysia’s international visitor arrivals.

“From January to December 2025, Malaysia welcomed 135,867 visitors from Pakistan, representing a 27.7 per cent increase compared to 2024. This growth is supported by robust air connectivity between Malaysia and Pakistan,” he said, while pointing out that currently, 14 weekly flights operated by Batik Air, AirAsia X and Pakistan International Airlines connect Kuala Lumpur with Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, providing a total weekly seat capacity of 4,293, making travel between the two nations accessible and convenient.

The Deputy Director of Tourism Malaysia, Mohana Murni Shanmugam, was also present at the press conference.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2026