Kuala lumpur: The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) today honored Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif with an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree, acknowledging his leadership and impact on nation-building and global Islamic governance.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the degree was awarded during a Special Convocation Ceremony at the ISTAC-IIUM, Kuala Lumpur Campus, attended by IIUM's Constitutional Head, Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah. The presentation coincided with the Prime Minister's three-day visit to Malaysia.

In her address, Tunku Azizah highlighted Shehbaz's four-decade-long service marked by vision and leadership, notably through initiatives like the Punjab Education Endowment Fund. She emphasized the strengthening ties between Pakistan and Malaysia under Shehbaz's leadership, praising the shared mission of serving the ummah.

Currently, IIUM hosts 89 Pakistani students, with 321 alumni having graduated. Shehbaz, in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude for the honor, emphasizing leadership as a service to people. He called for unity and moral integrity in addressing challenges in the Muslim world.

Present at the ceremony were prominent figures including Communication Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir. Shehbaz's visit reflects the deepening relations between Malaysia and Pakistan, following an invitation from Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.