ISSI Roundtable Highlights Growing Pakistan-ASEAN Ties and Future Prospects

Islamabad - 7 August 2024 (Adnan Hameed): The China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) celebrated ASEAN Day with a roundtable discussion on "Pakistan and ASEAN: A Growing Partnership." The event featured distinguished speakers, including ASEAN member states' Heads of Missions in Islamabad and Pakistan’s Heads of Missions in ASEAN capitals. Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was the Chief Guest. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI, delivered opening remarks, and Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director CPSC, moderated the session. Ambassador Sohail emphasized the strengthening partnership between Pakistan and ASEAN, underscoring the collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad (ACI). He highlighted ASEAN's economic prowess with a GDP of $3.67 trillion and its strategic role in regional stability and economic integration, including through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). He detailed Pakistan’s historical engagement with ASEAN as the oldest Sectoral Dialogue Partner and 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. He emphasized the need for accelerated progress through implementing Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) and exploring linkages with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Col. (Retd) Pengiran Haji Kamal Bashah Bin Pengiran Haji Ahmad, Chairman ACI and High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam, highlighted ASEAN's commitment to stability, mutual cooperation, diversity, and inclusivity, which have fostered a resilient region. Malaysian High Commissioner Mohammad Azhar Mazlan noted robust bilateral trade, reaching $1.5 billion in 2023-24. Philippine Ambassador Maria Agnes M. Cervantes advocated for robust climate action, highlighting the severe impact of climate change on both the Philippines and Pakistan. Myanmar’s Ambassador Wunna Han stressed the strong and multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and ASEAN member states, including collaboration in education, religion, cultural exchanges, and regional cooperation. Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Anh Tuan underlined long-standing relations between ASEAN and Pakistan in areas of mutual interest such as politics, culture, science, technology, and education. Charge d' Affaires of the Republic of Indonesia, Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma, and Ms. Kamolawan Sriposil, Charge d' Affaires of the Kingdom of Thailand, also spoke about growing Pakistan-ASEAN relations. Muhammad Faisal provided an academic perspective, emphasizing ASEAN's success in fostering regional economic support and good relations, serving as a valuable lesson for South Asia. Pakistani Heads of Missions in ASEAN capitals also participated. Ambassador Ameer Khurram Rathore, Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN, highlighted ASEAN's critical importance for Pakistan, emphasizing the region's role in maintaining peace, security, and economic integration. Ambassador Zaheeruddin Babar in Cambodia shared the growing bilateral trade between Pakistan and Cambodia and highlighted efforts to open a resident Cambodian mission in Islamabad. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Syed Ahsan Raza Shah noted the increasing number of Malaysian tourists visiting Pakistan and the robust investment relationship between the two nations. High Commissioner to Singapore Rabia Shafiq underscored that strong bilateral relations between Pakistan and Singapore serve as a crucial gateway to the ASEAN market. Chief Guest Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific) Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui highlighted ASEAN's significant achievements over the past 57 years, emphasizing successful cooperation among member states towards the shared vision of "One Vision, One Identity, One Community." The roundtable concluded with remarks by Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG, ISSI, who highlighted the evolution and significance of ASEAN over its 57-year history, emphasizing its role in promoting connectivity, trade, and investment in Southeast Asia and beyond. Earlier, Dr. Talat Shabbir highlighted the evolving partnership between Pakistan and ASEAN, emphasizing Pakistan's status as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN since 1993 and highlighting Pakistan’s efforts to become a Full Dialogue Partner as part of the “Vision East Asia” policy.