Zubair Qureshi
Foreign policy experts, current and retired ambassadors and diplomats on Wednesday emphasized growing ties and cooperation between Pakistan and the nations in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in diverse areas and called for further enhancing these ties to their fullest level.
They were addressing a roundtable titled ‘Pakistan and ASEAN: Growing Partnership’ organized by the China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) as part of commemoration of ASEAN Day at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).
Apart from the Heads of Missions of the ASEAN member states in Islamabad and Pakistan’s Heads of Missions in ASEAN capitals, prominent civil servants, diplomats, academicians, civil society members, and media personnel attended the event. Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific), MoFA, Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui was the Chief Guest on the occasion. He highlighted the significant achievements of the ASEAN over the past 57 years, emphasizing the successful cooperation among member states towards the shared vision of “One Vision, One Identity, One Community.”
Director General ISSI, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood elaborated on Pakistan’s historical engagement with ASEAN, being the oldest Sectoral Dialogue Partner. He highlighted the expanding scope of collaboration, including trade, counter-terrorism, security, and people-to-people exchanges, with bilateral trade reaching nearly $11 billion in 2022.
Chairman of ACI (ASEAN Committee Islamabad) and Acting High Commissioner of Brunei Col (R) Pengiran Haji Kamal Bashah Bin Pengiran Haji Ahmad underscored ASEAN’s global achievements, noting its economic prowess with a GDP of $3.67 trillion and its strategic relevance in maintaining regional stability and economic integration, including through initiatives like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
He highlighted the bloc’s commitment to stability, mutual cooperation, diversity, and inclusivity, which have been instrumental in fostering a resilient region. High Commissioner of Malaysia, Mohammad Azhar Mazlan emphasized the robust bilateral trade that has reached $1.5 billion in 2023-24. The Philippine Ambassador Maria Agnes M. Cervantes talked about the severe impact of climate change on both the Philippines and Pakistan, advocating for robust climate action with ASEAN’s support.
Ambassador Wunna Han, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, stressed the strong and multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and ASEAN member states that includes collaboration in areas such as education, religion, cultural exchanges and regional cooperation.
Ambassador Pham Anh Tuan of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam underlined long-standing relations between ASEAN and Pakistan including in areas of mutual interest such as politics, culture, science, technology and education.
