Report : Tazeen Akhtar | ASEAN Monitoring Desk Islamabad
Pakistan is deeply keen in getting the full dialogue partner FDP status at Association of South East Asian Nations ASEAN even after bilateral as well as multilateral cooperation of more than 3 long decades (33 years) but the target still seems hard to be achieved as the process is said to be “very complicated”.
On ASEAN’s 59th anniversary, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to boosting trade, education, and strategic communication under the framework of mutual respect and inclusive dialogue and refreshed her call to consider the status once again.
The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted a special seminar titled “Pakistan and ASEAN: Navigating Our Future Together” in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad (ACI) to commemorate the 59th ASEAN Day. Here all officials of ISSI and Pakistani Ambassador to ASEAN highlighted the pending status of Pakistan.
H.E. Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez , Ambassador of the Philippines and Current Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad (ACI) shared his vision on ASEAN and Pakistan relations as , “Peace and security, prosperity and people empowerment remains heart of ASEANS future. ASEAN’s three pillars—political-security, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation—remain relevant to the evolving Pakistan-ASEAN partnership.”
Here it is worth mentioning that Turkiye became full dialogue partner in 15 years only. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 08 Aug 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand, through the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration). Pakistan was the first neighbor of this org with respect to combined borders of the then East Pakistan (Bangladesh) and the then Burma (Myanmar).
Pakistan has expressed her keenness not only increasing imports from ASEAN members but has opened two embassies unilaterally in ASEAN states of Singapore and Cambodia with no reciprocation from any of these two countries.
ASEAN consists of 11 countries Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR (Laos), Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor) , Viet Nam. 4 states do not have their representation in Pakistan including Cambodia, East Timor, Laos and Singapore. 7 ASEAN countries have missions in Pakistan while Pakistan has missions in 9 countries of ASEAN.
At the seminar, the Chair of ACI, Ambassador Philippine noted that closer engagement between Pakistan and ASEAN can contribute to addressing emerging regional challenges while creating new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation.
H.E. Dato` Astanah Abdul Aziz, Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN , in a special video message, highlighted the strong foundation of ASEAN-Pakistan relations and identified dialogue, economic and technological cooperation, connectivity, and people to people- centered development as key areas of future cooperation.
H.E. Colonel (R) Pengiran Haji Kamal Bashah, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam, H.E. Mr. Pham Anh Tuan, Ambassador of Viet Nam; H.E. Mr. Wunna Han, Ambassador of Myanmar; H.E. Mr. Rongvudhi Virabutr, Ambassador of Thailand; Mr. Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Indonesia; and Mr. Mohamad Alif Syafiq Bin Mohd Faudzi, First Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission, High Commission of Malaysia, expressed their support for further deepening Pakistan-ASEAN relations and expanding practical cooperation across areas including trade and investment, tourism, digital economy and cybersecurity, agriculture and food security, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.
Ambassador Vietnam H.E. Mr. Pham Anh Tuan , emphsized exploring new corridors of trade to enhance the level that is low presently. He said ASEAN Pakistan are partners in peace and prosperity. Economic cooperation can be increased through tourism, youth, students and people to people engagements. He said the sides have trust in one another and we need to transform the trust into trade. (Full text of his address is published separately)
Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Indonesia, Mr. Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma was very positive on promotion of economic cooperation between ASEAN and Pakistan. He mentioned the increasing number of Pakistani tourists to his country. The number of tourists was 30 thousand last year. He said Pakistan too can attract tourists from ASEAN because it has beautiful landscape and viberant cultural and historical heritage. He was sure that the cooperation can be enhanced to double and triplle with joint efforts.
Ambassador Thailand, H.E. Mr. Rongvudhi Virabutr , offered cooperation in controling online scam issues and to provide cyber security. He admired Pakistan’s mediatory role in US Iran conflict. He suggested to continue work on enhancing cooperation on two levels, bilateral as well as on ASEAN level.
Ambassador Myanmar, H.E. Mr. Wunna Han appreciated Pakistan’s cooperation and active role at ASEAN Regional Forum. He said the future of ASEAN Pakistan relations is bright and Myanmar is keen to promote cooperation with Pakistan in all fields.
DHM Malaysia, Mr. Mohamad Alif Syafiq Bin Mohd Faudzi, mentioned agriculture, food security, energy, digitization, tourism, education as major sectors in which bilateral and ASEAN level cooperation can be uplifted to remarkable level. He described ASEAN vision 2025 as way forward to peace and stability through dialogue. He said, there are challenges but dialogue is the best policy to move to peace building.
Ambassador Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, Pakistan’s Ambassador to ASEAN , reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening engagement with ASEAN and its aspiration for Full Dialogue Partnership. He said Pakistan is looking forward to the FDP status. He mentioned youth important sector to enhance cooperation as both sides have large population of young people. For digital transformation, the major part can be played by youth that have skills in AI and IT.
He said our economies are interconnected and we complement one another in global supply chain. Pakistan prepares the best doctors and nurses that can serve in ASEAN states. He recommended tourism as big sector of mutual cooperation.
Ms Seema Fatima, Haseen Fatima, Deputy Director, East Asia and Pacific Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs touched a little, the matter of the status with comparison of Turkiye and Pakistan. She stated that Pakistan is very serious in her relationship with ASEAN. She mentioned establishment of Pak ASEAN Cooperation Fund of 500 thousand dollars. She said ASEAN will soon become the fourth largest economy in the world. Pakistan is playing active role at ASEAN Regional Forum.
She noted the steady expansion of institutional cooperation and the scope for translating existing frameworks into tangible outcomes.
Ambassador Moin-ul-Haque , Director General ISSI, in his welcome remarks, described ASEAN as an important model of regional cooperation and called for a more substantive and results-oriented Pakistan-ASEAN relationship.
He drew particular attention to the opportunities presented by ASEAN’s regional economic integration, including RCEP, and proposed a dedicated ISSI engagement with Pakistan’s business community to enhance awareness of emerging opportunities and facilitate stronger economic linkages.
Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director CPSC , in his introductory remarks, called for sustained engagement and greater mutual understanding between Pakistan and ASEAN.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman Board of Governors, ISSI , in his concluding remarks, called for a broader, deeper and forward-looking Pakistan-ASEAN partnership, supported by stronger institutional, academic, business and think-tank linkages.
The seminar reaffirmed the shared commitment to further advancing Pakistan-ASEAN relations through sustained dialogue, practical cooperation and enhanced connectivity. The seminar brought together Heads of Mission and representatives of ASEAN Member States, members of academia and media.
Pakistan and Turkiye @ ASEAN | A Total Different Story | 32 Years & 15 Years
Pakistan became a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 1993. Pakistan joined the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in 2004.
Pakistan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) maintain a Sectoral Dialogue Partnership focused on trade, investment, science, and regional connectivity.
Trade between Pakistan and ASEAN surpassed US$ 10.45 billion recently (following a peak of over US$ 11 billion in 2022). The trade balance heavily favors ASEAN. Pakistan’s exports stand around US$ 2.5 billion, while imports from ASEAN reach nearly US$ 7.9 billion.
ASEAN – Viet Nam and Pakistan | Navigating our Future Together
About 90% of Pakistan’s trade with ASEAN is concentrated in five countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines. Pakistan holds a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Malaysia and a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Indonesia, alongside ongoing discussions to expand trade frameworks.
However, Pakistan joined the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) as its 24th participant on July 2, 2004. Pakistan is the only Sectoral Dialogue Partner (SDP) of ASEAN that is also a full member of the ARF. Pakistan actively participates in security dialogues, confidence-building measures, and preventive diplomacy initiatives focusing on the Asia-Pacific region.
Pakistan acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in Jakarta on July 2, 2004, and hosted the ARF Heads of Defense Universities and Institutes Meeting in 2021. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar led Pakistan’s delegation at the 33rd ARF Ministerial Meeting in Manila, Philippines, on July 23, 2026.
Türkiye was officially accepted as ASEAN’s 12th full Dialogue Partner on July 21, 2026, during the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, Philippines. Turkiye joined the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), establishing formal institutional ties in 2010. Türkiye became a Sectoral Dialogue Partner, allowing cooperation in targeted areas like trade and transport in 2017.
Türkiye formally applied to upgrade to a full Dialogue Partner in 2024. ASEAN members agreed in principle to the upgrade at the 47th ASEAN Summit, pending a review of the bloc’s moratorium on new partnerships. AND this year Formal approval was finalized in Manila, making Türkiye the 12th country to hold the status and the first from the Middle East/West Asia region.
Pakistan is supposed to see what we lack and what Turkiye has to qualify for Full Dialogue Partner of ASEAN. While ASEAN decision makers are expected to point out why Pakistan is not Turkiye. Why we are lagging behind Turkiye with more than double the time period of working with ASEAN.
