ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (APP):Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik participated in a series of engagements in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, focusing on criminal justice reform, drug policy, human rights and international cooperation, while reaffirming Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
The engagements included an international conference on criminal justice reform at Monash University Malaysia, discussions with Malaysian policymakers at the Parliament of Malaysia, a dialogue on drug policy reform and a Kashmir Black Day commemoration hosted by the Pakistan High Commission in collaboration with the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (MAPIM).
At Monash University Malaysia, Barrister Aqeel Malik attended the conference titled “Reform Pathways, Comparative Perspectives, and the Way Forward,” which brought together academics, legal experts, policymakers and international stakeholders to discuss comparative approaches to criminal justice and opportunities for legal and policy reform.
The discussions covered policy alternatives, public health considerations and progressive approaches to justice.
On the second day, the Minister of State attended the launch of a policy brief titled “Roadmap to the Abolition of the Death Penalty for Drug Offences in Malaysia” at the Parliament of Malaysia. The initiative was organised by the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN), in collaboration with Monash University Malaysia and Eleos Justice, Monash Law.
The initiative examined potential pathways for reform through focus group discussions, comparative legal research and policy analysis. Discussions with Malaysian policymakers focused on evidence-based policymaking, regional knowledge-sharing and approaches to drug-related offences that take account of public health and criminal justice considerations.
Barrister Aqeel Malik also delivered the opening remarks at a dialogue titled “An Evening Dialogue on Moving Towards the Total Abolition of the Death Penalty and Drug Policy Reform in Malaysia.” The event provided an opportunity for policymakers, legal experts and other stakeholders to exchange views on legal reform, drug policy and international cooperation.
During his visit, the minister of state also attended the Kashmir Black Day commemoration hosted by the Pakistan High Commission in collaboration with MAPIM. The event was attended by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, MAPIM President Cikgu Azmi Abdul Hamid, academics from the International Islamic University Malaysia and the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies, university students and members of the Pakistani community.
The commemoration highlighted concerns over the human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and reaffirmed support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. Participants called for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The event also featured the launch of Cikgu Azmi Abdul Hamid’s book, “Kashmir: Know, Think, Act,” aimed at promoting greater awareness and engagement on the Kashmir issue.
The minister’s engagements in Kuala Lumpur reflected Pakistan’s commitment to international dialogue and cooperation on legal and policy reform, the promotion of human rights and efforts to strengthen engagement with Malaysian counterparts.
He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
