Pakistan is keen to learn from the experience of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in transforming Malaysia's economy and development, said visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He said one of the main reasons he has made a visit with a delegation to Malaysia is out of his admiration for Mahathir.

"We look upon you (Mahathir) as a statesman, someone who has transformed this country. We have followed Malaysia's progress, especially since Dr Mahathir came into office, and my party wants to learn from your experience how you transformed the economy and developed it, raised the per capita income, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)," he said at a joint press conference with Mahathir in Putrajaya today.

Khan said that as both leaders came to power with a mandate from the people on an anti-corruption platform, Pakistan and Malaysia face similar situations in terms of unprecedented debt.

"We want to talk to you (Mahathir) about dealing with the crisis and how to come out of it and I am very pleased with the morning discourse," he said in reference to their meeting earlier.

Khan is on a two-day maiden official visit to Malaysia at the invitation of Mahathir. He is the first leader to be received by Mahathir on an official visit after becoming the prime minister again following the 14th general election in May.

Imran Khan said that during their four-eyed meeting, they also shared views on various matters including tourism, as Pakistan has huge untapped tourism spots.

"Malaysia has developed tourist resorts which we really want to have in Pakistan because we have tourism spots but we don't have resorts," he said.

Khan extended an invitation to Mahathir as the chief guest to grace the Pakistan Day celebration on March 23 next year.

Earlier, after the delegation meeting, Mahathir and Khan also witnessed the signing of an agreement by the governments of Malaysia and Pakistan on the partial abolition of visas for travel between the two countries for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

- Bernama