Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree in Leadership and Governance by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
According to Malaysian state news agency Bernama, the honorary degree was conferred at a special ceremony held at IIUM’s Kuala Lumpur campus. PM Shehbaz Sharif said it was a “great privilege and honor” to receive the degree from a “renowned institute of learning.” He also thanked Queen of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, the constitutional head of IIUM, for attending the event.
Shehbaz Sharif said he had spent over four decades serving the people of Punjab and, now as Pakistan’s premier, continued to do so with “sincerity and unwavering commitment.” He added that leadership was “a sacred trust” that must be exercised with honesty, justice, and accountability before God.
In her remarks, the Queen of Pahang praised Shehbaz’s leadership, noting that he had “served with vision, discipline, and compassion,” particularly through initiatives like the Punjab Education Endowment Fund, which made higher education accessible to thousands of students.
The prime minister expressed hope that his visit would strengthen academic ties between Pakistan and Malaysia and concluded by reciting verses from Allama Iqbal.
Following the ceremony, PM Shehbaz met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with both leaders agreeing to enhance bilateral cooperation under the ASEAN framework. PM Ibrahim also announced Malaysia’s decision to import $200 million worth of halal meat from Pakistan, a move Shehbaz described as a “welcome step.”