Naveed Miraj & Shahid Qureshi
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, inaugurated the ‘ASEAN Corner’ at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on Monday.
The event featured a round table discussion titled “Forging Partnership: Exploring the Future Prospects of Pakistan-ASEAN Relations,” drawing prominent diplomats, scholars, students, media, and business representatives. It highlighted ASEAN’s global role and reinforced the effort to strengthen Pakistan-ASEAN relations.
Director-General of ISSI, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, welcomed participants and emphasized the historical and cultural ties between Pakistan and ASEAN. He outlined the evolution of their relations and the importance of enhancing trade, investment, and connectivity. The ‘ASEAN Corner’ at ISSI was conceived to promote understanding and informed discourse about the region.
Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, High Commissioner of Malaysia and ACI Chairman, highlighted the deepening relations between Pakistan and ASEAN and the potential for growth in political-security, trade-economic, and socio-cultural cooperation.
Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to ASEAN member states and called for collaborative solutions to shared challenges like climate change and terrorism. He underscored the success of ASEAN and its relevance to Pakistan. Jilani stressed Pakistan’s readiness to collaborate with ASEAN on confidence-building, conflict prevention, and international order based on peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity.
He also acknowledged Pakistan’s engagement with ASEAN in various areas and expressed regret over the limitations of SAARC due to regional politics.
Jilani emphasized the importance of global cooperation for sustainable economic growth, peace, and security in the Asia Pacific region. He called for an approach aligned with the geographical, historical, and cultural realities of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
ASEAN Ambassadors Encourage Mutual Collaboration
The round table discussion, moderated by Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director CPSC, ISSI, explored common security and economic partnerships between Pakistan and ASEAN. Ambassadors of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines emphasized the potential for research, cooperation, and academic policy collaboration. They encouraged exchanges in technology, culture, and addressing mutual challenges. Juan Paolo Alix from the Philippines emphasized shared values and a commitment to peace, encouraging research excellence at the ‘ASEAN Corner.’
Ambassador Ameer Khurram Rathore, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), highlighted the deep-rooted relationship between Pakistan and ASEAN. He called for deeper security and economic cooperation, including initiatives in counter-terrorism and transnational crime consultation.
Dr. Muhammad Shoaib, an Assistant Professor at the National Defence University in Islamabad, emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration between academia and policy-making. He stressed the need for cultural exchanges and eased travel to facilitate mutual engagement. Dr. Shoaib also underscored the value of drawing lessons from ASEAN’s experiences in addressing common challenges.
Ambassador Chakkrid Karachaiwong, the Ambassador of Thailand, highlighted the strength of diversity within the ASEAN region and suggested areas of cooperation with Pakistan. These areas included cybersecurity, cultural tourism, and technology. He recognized the potential in Pakistan’s technology sector and emphasized the significance of addressing challenges while realizing opportunities.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG, ISSI, expressed optimism about Pakistan-ASEAN collaboration in traditional and non-traditional areas. He highlighted the significance of the ‘ASEAN Corner’ in promoting economic collaboration, connectivity, and cultural exchanges, with a special focus on the Gandhara civilization.
The ‘ASEAN Corner’ at ISSI is poised to serve as a hub for knowledge exchange, fostering greater understanding and cooperation between Pakistan and the ASEAN region. This inauguration represents a significant step in Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing its relations with ASEAN and promoting regional peace, stability, and development.
