Mohammad Azhar Mazlan,
High Commissioner of Malaysia
Remarks at Roundtable “Pakistan and ASEAN: A Growing Partnership” (In Commemoration of ASEAN Day) at Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) 07 Aug 2024
H.E. Ambassador Khalid Mahmod, Chairman Board of Governors of ISSI
H.E. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General of ISSI;
Mr. Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Additional Secretary of Asia Pacific, MOFA;
Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director of China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC);
H.E. Col Pengiran Haji Kamal Bashah Bin Pengiran Haji Ahmad, Chairman of ACI and the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam;
Heads of ASEAN Mission in Islamabad;
ASEAN plays key role in maintaining regional peace, security, and stability. The principles of ASEAN Charter (2007) are ASEAN Centrality in regional cooperation, Respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty, non-interference, and national identities, Promotion of regional peace and peaceful dispute resolution, Upholding human rights, social justice, and multilateral trade, Encouraging regional trade integration, Developing friendly relations with the UN and other international organizations
Laos PDR assumed the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2024 with the theme ‘ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience. Enhancing connectivity and resilience is crucial for strengthening the ASEAN Community and addressing both current and future challenges.
ASEAN and Pakistan should strengthen cooperation by enhancing infrastructure, reducing development gaps, boosting economic integration, and promoting people-to-people exchanges.
The signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in November 2020 with five trading partners marked a significant milestone, showcasing ASEAN’s commitment to “open regionalism.”
Pakistan Expecting Singapore, Cambodia, Laos to Open Embassies in Islamabad – Gandhara Tourism Focused as a Sector of Great Potential
Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025
Malaysia, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is steadfast to become the best host for ASEAN Summit 2025. With 257 high-level meetings already scheduled as of June 2025, involving national leaders, ministers, and officials. Malaysia aims to foster meaningful chairmanship by focusing on the pillars of security and politics, economy, and socio-culture development. Malaysia is ready to harness the extensive network and diverse strengths of ASEAN and its partners through collaborative efforts to ensure ASEAN’s collective potential is fully realized.
ASEAN and Pakistan
ASEAN values its partnership with Pakistan and appreciates Pakistan’s support for the ASEAN Community. This partnership will lead to deeper engagements and cooperation across ASEAN’s three pillars: Political-Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural. ASEAN-Pakistan cooperation spans various sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, education, culture, tourism, capacity building, and technical cooperation. The ASEAN-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, effective since 2013, highlights the strong economic ties between ASEAN and Pakistan.
ASEAN-Pakistan Economic Potential:
ASEAN population: 670 million; Pakistan: 240 million.
Combined GDP: over USD 3 trillion.
2022 trade: nearly USD 11 billion; potential to reach USD 20 billion by 2030.
Future Outlook
Transforming Partnership into Economic Powerhouse:
Requires political will and commitment.
Aim for prosperity and social progression.
Symbol of progress and cooperation by 2050.
Confident in elevating ASEAN-Pakistan relationship.
Bilateral : Economic Projection for Pakistan by 2050:
World Bank projects Pakistan will be among the top 20 largest economies. However, success depends on Pakistan’s managing economic, climate, political, and social challenges. Malaysia is ready to collaborate for mutual benefit.
Diplomatic and Multifaceted Engagement:
Bilateral relations established in 1957.
Robust engagements in politics, economy, defense, education, etc.
Elevated to strategic partnership in March 2019.
MoU between IAIS (Malaysia) and ISSI (Pakistan).
First Muslim countries to sign an FTA, back in 2007.
Malaysia’s Confidence in Pakistan:
Positive outlook due to huge potential in Pakistan.
Both shared strong historical ties and values.
Potential to elevate bilateral relationship to higher level.
“A Future of Renewed Hope and Optimism” Malaysia-Pakistan Strategic Partnership -Special Article by H.C Mohammad Azhar Mazlan
