PRIME MINISTER OF PAKISTAN RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORATE FROM IIUM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) today conferred Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to nation-building and global Islamic governance.

The conferment took place during a Special Convocation Ceremony held at the ISTAC-IIUM, Kuala Lumpur Campus, officiated by the IIUM Constitutional Head Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership and Governance was presented by Tunku Azizah, in conjunction with the Prime Minister’s three-day visit to Malaysia since yesterday.

bootstrap slideshow

In her royal address, Tunku Azizah said for more than four decades, Shehbaz has served with vision, discipline, compassion and true leadership to building lives and uplifting communities through education, healthcare and opportunities.

“His initiatives, such as the Punjab Education Endowment Fund, has opened the doors of higher learning to thousands who might never have dreamed of university education. That is leadership that touches hearts and transforms futures.

“At a time when the world often prizes image over integrity, His Excellency (Shehbaz) reminds us that good governance is about sincerity, service, and steadfastness,” she said.

bootstrap slideshow

Tunku Azizah also commended Pakistan’s longstanding friendship with Malaysia, noting that under Shehbaz’s leadership, the relationship has grown even stronger. 

“Today, our Pakistani students, academics, and alumni continue to enrich the university and uphold our shared mission of serving the ummah. This conferment is more than a recognition of achievement. It is a celebration of the values we hold dear: justice, service, and excellence guided by faith,” she added.

Currently, 89 Pakistani students are enrolled in various programmes at IIUM, while 321 alumni from Pakistan have graduated from the university.

Meanwhile, Shehbaz in his acceptance addresss described the recognition as a great privilege and honour, humbly received in the presence of scholars and students from one of the leading institutions of the Muslim world. 

Reflecting on his years of public service, he said that leadership, for him, has always been about serving the people of Pakistan with sincerity, discipline, and an unwavering sense of duty.

“I hope that my presence here today will further strengthen the bonds of academic partnership and collaboration between the IIUM and Pakistan's leading institutions of higher learning,” he said, adding that leadership was not a privilege, but a sacred trust that demands honesty, justice, and accountability.

Addressing the broader challenges facing the Muslim world, Shehbaz also called for unity, compassion, and moral integrity among leaders and nations and urged the Muslim ummah to remain steadfast to the values and ethics of Islam in order to overcome conflict, disunity, and poverty. 

He also noted that both Malaysia and Pakistan are blessed with young populations, and that it is the responsibility of leaders to provide platforms that empower the youth to serve humanity with commitment and compassion.

Also present at the ceremony were Communication Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, IIUM President Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain, IIUM Rector Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Osman Bakar, and the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Malaysia, Syed Ahsan Raza Shah.

Shehbaz’s visit to Malaysia was at the invitation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and serves as a reciprocal gesture to Anwar’s official visit to Pakistan in October 2024, reflecting the deepening ties between the two nations.

-- BERNAMA