Pakistan, Philippines: Forging stronger ties for brighter years ahead
75 YEARS OF PAKISTAN-PHILIPPINE BILATERAL RELATIONS
Message
HE DR. IMTIAZ KAZI, PAKISTAN AMBASSADOR TO THE PHILIPPINES ON THE OCCASION OF PAKISTAN DAY
MARCH 23, 2024
THIS year Pakistan’s Day coincides with the assumption of the high offices of the country namely; the President of Pakistan by former President HE Mr. Asif Ali Zardari and the office of the Prime Minister, also by the former Prime Minister HE Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif early this month. Pakistani nation is proud of its democratic march and looking forward to avail the fruits of democracy. Undoubtedly this year’s Pakistan Day is a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing for the entire Pakistani nation; for those living within Pakistan or abroad. Of course, the present Government has a multitude of challenges, mainly on the economic front but every Pakistani is confident that our country, its leadership and its people have the ability and capacity to come out valiantly of the current economic problems We will overcome of these challenges.
I am glad that our bilateral cooperation with the Republic of the Philippines is gaining strength. Our bilateral Agreement on Defence Cooperation has been ratified early this year. Our bilateral trade for the calendar year 2023 stood at US$ 216.247 million. Besides rice, Pakistan is the 3rd largest supplier of citrus to the Philippines. Pakistan’s exports to the Philippines were recorded at $194.09 million as compared to imports from Philippines stood at $22.15 million during period 2023.
On this occasion, I whole heartedly extend the heartiest facilitations to Pakistani brothers and sisters living in the Philippines; especially the office bearers and directors of Pak-Phil Friendship Association who have always been a great support to promoting bilateral peopleto-people ties between our two countries and lending a helping hand to Pakistan Embassy in Manila in serving the needs of the community members in need of help or in distress.
This year (2024) also marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries and we look forward that our two countries and their peoples would come up with appropriate events and programmes to celebrate this historic occasion in a befitting manner. Maraming salamat at mabuhay! LongLive Pakistan-Philippines Friendship