Pakistan celebrates National Day
Korea, Pakistan mark 41 anniversary of diplomatic relations
We, in Pakistan, celebrate our National Day on March 23. The day is a celebration of our homeland, and the freedom and hope that it engenders in our lives.
This day reminds us of the struggles, the unparallel sacrifices and the resultant accomplishments of the founder of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and the leaders of the Pakistan Movement.
On this day, 84 years ago, our forefathers adopted the historic Pakistan Resolution in the city of Lahore. It was a pivotal moment in the history of Muslim political consciousness in British India, as it called for the creation of a separate sovereign state, Pakistan.
The resolution laid the foundation of the ideology of Pakistan, and by extension, the principles on which the edifice of our foreign policy was erected. Pakistan’s worldview is characterized by friendliness and goodwill toward all nations, honesty and fair play in international relations and a commitment to promoting international peace and prosperity, based on the principles of the United Nations Charter. To quote the Father of the Nation himself, “Our objective should be peace within and peace without.”
ROK-Pakistan relations
In line with these fundamental principles, Pakistan established formal diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea (ROK) 41 years ago on Nov. 7, 1983.
Pakistan-Republic of Korea relations, based on respect, cordiality and mutual interest, have progressed well over the past four decades. The 40th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries last year was celebrated with multiple events in Pakistan and the ROK. Our foreign ministers also exchanged congratulatory letters on the occasion.
But the relationship between our people is millennia old. It was in 384 A.D. that Monk Maranantha brought Buddhism to the ancient kingdom of Baekje from Swabi in Pakistan. He traveled across China, arriving at Beopseongpo in Yeonggwang in the Baekje Kingdom. The city hosts a memorial and a museum in his honor, acknowledging his Gandhara roots from what is now Pakistan.
ROK-Pakistan bilateral relations have developed from strength to strength, covering diverse areas, including socio-economic development, trade and investment, human resource development and exchange, defense, people-to-people contacts and the list goes on.
We have established various institutional mechanisms to ensure regular engagement and exchange of views. These mechanisms provide platforms for strategic deliberations between the two countries.
Exchanges between the two countries have increased in the recent past. These have included official engagements and cultural exchanges, and ministerial and senior-level visits. Appearing as the feature country at last year’s Migrant Arirang Multicultural Festival (MAMF) was one such occasion, that allowed us to showcase our ethos and culture for the Korean people.
Several MOUs, including in the fields of media, educational exchange, peacekeeping operations and collaboration in AI, big data, IoT and deep tech, were signed in recent years to further enhance collaboration.
Economic and trade cooperation forms the cornerstone of our bilateral relationship, with both nations actively engaged in initiatives to further strengthen it. In 2023, Pakistan-ROK bilateral trade volume stood at around $1billion. This, of course, is far below our true potential, and the private sectors of both countries are dynamically engaged in increasing this number exponentially.
Over the years, Pakistan has also attracted significant Korean investments. Beginning with Daewoo in the mid-1980s, they have since expanded into varied sectors, including automobiles, hydropower, chemicals, mobile manufacturing and confectionery. Key Korean investors in Pakistan include Lotte, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, Korea South-East Power Co., K-water, Samsung, Hyundai and Kia.
The Miracle on Han River has endowed Korea with a passion to share the fruits of its prosperity, and to give back to other developing countries. Its commitment to supporting Pakistan’s socio-economic development is evident through its official development assistance programs.
Since 1991, Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) has funded many development projects in Pakistan. A recent increase in the EDCF to $1 billion for the period of 2022-26 will cover infrastructure projects, including highways, hydroelectric power, hospitals and IT parks. A positive trajectory in bilateral development cooperation is clearly discernible.
Pakistani diaspora in the ROK, totaling around 15,000, represent an integral facet of people-to-people connection. Comprising of workers, businesspeople, students and professionals, the Pakistani community plays a pivotal role in fostering economic and cultural links between the two countries.
Pakistani workers are contributing to the Korean economy, and ensuring that a labor shortage in Korean SMEs does not result in any negative impacts. The MOU on Employment Permit System (EPS) was signed between the governments of Pakistan and ROK in 2006. The number of Pakistani workers arriving in ROK under the EPS has been steadily increasing. The EPS worker quota for Pakistan for 2024 currently stands at 4700.
Building on the trust established over decades, there is immense potential to further deepen bilateral relations between Pakistan and the ROK, particularly in economic diplomacy and development cooperation. Pakistan looks toward Korea to learn from its miraculous economic growth and development and to replicate the lessons learnt back home.
May the enduring friendship and cooperation between the people of Pakistan and ROK propel us forward together, pursuing common dreams, visions and goals of peace and prosperity.