ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral engagement, with speakers at a special seminar stressing the need for stronger cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, technology and people-to-people exchanges.The remarks came at a special seminar titled “Pakistan and ASEAN: Navigating Our Future Together,” organized by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad (ACI), to commemorate the 59th ASEAN Day.
Delivering the keynote address, Philippine Ambassador and current Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad, H.E. Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez, said peace and security, prosperity and people empowerment remained at the heart of ASEAN’s future. He observed that ASEAN’s three pillars—political-security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation—continued to provide a relevant framework for the evolving Pakistan-ASEAN partnership.He said closer engagement between Pakistan and ASEAN could help address emerging regional challenges while opening new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation.
In a special video message, ASEAN Deputy Secretary General H.E. Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz highlighted the strong foundation of ASEAN-Pakistan relations and identified dialogue, economic and technological cooperation, connectivity and people-centered development as key areas for future collaboration.Representatives of ASEAN member states also reaffirmed the importance of Pakistan as a longstanding partner and voiced support for expanding practical cooperation.Brunei Darussalam High Commissioner H.E. Colonel (R) Pengiran Haji Kamal Bashah, Viet Nam Ambassador H.E. Pham Anh Tuan, Myanmar Ambassador H.E. Wunna Han, Thailand Ambassador H.E. Rongvudhi Virabutr, Indonesia Minister Counsellor Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma, and Malaysia First Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission Mohamad Alif Syafiq Bin Mohd Faudzi emphasized opportunities for stronger cooperation in trade and investment, tourism, the digital economy, cybersecurity, agriculture, food security, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to ASEAN, Ambassador Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening relations with ASEAN and reiterated Pakistan’s aspiration to attain Full Dialogue Partnership with the regional bloc.Ms. Haseen Fatima, Deputy Director, East Asia and Pacific Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted the steady expansion of institutional cooperation between Pakistan and ASEAN and stressed the need to translate existing frameworks into tangible and mutually beneficial outcomes.In his welcome remarks, ISSI Director General Ambassador Moin-ul-Haque described ASEAN as an important model of regional cooperation and called for a more substantive, results-oriented Pakistan-ASEAN relationship.He highlighted the opportunities arising from ASEAN’s regional economic integration, particularly the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and proposed dedicated ISSI engagement with Pakistan’s business community to raise awareness about emerging opportunities and encourage stronger economic linkages.
Earlier, Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director of the Centre for Pakistan and Gulf Studies (CPSC), called for sustained engagement and greater mutual understanding between Pakistan and ASEAN.In his concluding remarks, ISSI Chairman Board of Governors Ambassador Khalid Mahmood urged the development of a broader, deeper and forward-looking Pakistan-ASEAN partnership, supported by stronger institutional, academic, business and think-tank linkages.The seminar concluded with a shared commitment to advancing Pakistan-ASEAN relations through sustained dialogue, practical cooperation and enhanced regional connectivity. The event was attended by heads of mission and representatives of ASEAN member states, as well as members of academia and the media.
