Tazeen Akhtar for Pakistan in the World Media Group
Foreign Secretary Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad received the Ambassadors of the ASEAN Member States in Islamabad today.The Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its partnership with ASEAN.
Philippines (Chair for July–December 2026): H.E. Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez (Ambassador) Brunei Darussalam Mr. Hazem represented H.C H.E. Colonel (R) Pengiran Haji Kamal Bashah (High Commissioner) Indonesia Mr Rehmat Hindiyarta represented, H.E. Chandra W. Sukotjo, Myanmar, Ambassador Wunna Han, Malaysia, Mr. Mohamad Alif Syafiq Bin Mohd Faudzi (First Secretary) represented High Commissioner Azhar Mazlan, Thailand: H.E. Mr. Rongvudhi Virabutr (Ambassador), Ambassador of Vietnam H.E Pham Anh Tuan were present at the occasion.
Foreign Secretary highlighted Pakistan’s Vision East Asia policy and Pakistan’s longstanding engagement as Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN since 1993.The two sides discussed expanding cooperation in diverse areas including:
Trade and Investment, Connectivity and Supply Chain Partnerships,IT and Technology Transfer,Agriculture and Food Security,Tourism, including religious and Buddhist heritage tourism,People-to-people exchanges and education, Investment in Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
The ASEAN Envoys welcomed Pakistan’s outreach and said the region sees great potential in expanding commercial cooperation. They highlighted existing ASEAN investments in Pakistan’s construction and power generation sectors. The Malaysian envoy offered Pakistani firms a role in Malaysia’s growing chip-making industry.
All Ambassadors expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s hospitality and agreed on the need to accelerate bilateral trade flows. Pakistan is actively seeking to upgrade its status to Full Dialogue Partner (FDP) of ASEAN, a move welcomed with great interest by the ASEAN side.
The meeting marked a renewed push by Pakistan to anchor itself more firmly in the ASEAN economic landscape, with both sides agreeing to chart a roadmap for increasing trade, investment, and institutional cooperation in the months ahead.
The ASEAN group in Islamabad includes Ambassadors/High Commissioners of Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Brunei Darussalam and Laos. Pakistan attaches high importance to its relations with the ASEAN region, which represents one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
In Photo (L to R): The ASEAN Ambassadors and DHMS based in Islamabad along with Foreign Secretary Asim Iftikhar Ahmad in the traditional ASEAN handshake of unity and solidarity.
