Pakistan-Philippines Bilateral

PAKISTAN and the Philippines have enjoyed reasonably good, rather resilient ties of friendship during last 74 years, regulated through 25 cooperation agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)/Memoranda of Agreements (MoAs) in political, economic, commercial, defence, cultural and social fields.

The recent one on ‘Defence Cooperation’ was signed 5 May 2022. Official bilateral relations between the two countries commenced with the establishment of the Philippines’ Consulate in Karachi on 9 September, 1949, followed by the opening of the Philippine Embassy in Karachi in 1956 and the Pakistan Embassy in Manila in September 1957. In 1954, both countries became alliance partners in the US-led Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO). nPakistan’s relations with the Philippines form an important component of “Vision East Asia Policy” envisaged in 2003 which aims at enhancing collaboration with the region in diverse fields.

The Philippines, a founding member of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been a steadfast supporter of our efforts to strengthen our institutional linkages with ASEAN including our membership to ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) and our quest to attain Full Dialogue Partnership (FDP) status with ASEAN.

Bilateral Visits at Leadership Level nThere have been few exchanges of high level visits between the two countries in the last seven decades. These include:

From Pakistan side:

• Former Prime Minister Husseyn Shaheed Suharwardy in May 1957;

• Former Prime Minister Mohammad Khan Junejo in May 1988;

• Former Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto 17-18 February, 1995.

• Former President Musharraf visited Manila on 18-20 April, 2005. It was the first visit by a Pakistani President to Manila.

From Philippines side:

• Former President Diosdado Macapagal visited Pakistan in 1962 nApart from bilateral visits, there were regular contacts between the leadership of two countries on the side-lines of international forae. Former President Asif Ali Zardari and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo met in New York on 12 Nov 2008. The two sides agreed to further deepen cooperation in political, economic, trade and other fields. Former President Gloria Arroyo also met former Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in Tripoli on 1 September 2009, during Libya’s 40th Anniversary Revolution Celebrations. nWorth mentioning is the fact that during the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly’s plenary meeting on 9 December 2014 under its agenda item 14 (Culture of Peace), the session adopted by consensus the resolution on “Promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace”, which was jointly tabled by Pakistan and the Philippines. Pakistan and Philippines keep supporting each other on international fora. nA five-member Senate Delegation of Pakistan led by Senator Mian Raza Rabbani participated in the 5th Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) Conference in Manila from 30th Jan to 2nd Feb 2013. Senator Ahmed Hassan, Senator Hamza, Senator Abdul Nabi Bangash and Mr. Muhammad Hassan Khan, Joint Secretary, Pakistan Senate were other members of the delegation. Bilateral Policy Consultation Talks (PCTs) nBoth countries have a Policy

• Former President Fidel V. Ramos visited Pakistan in 1997.

Consultations Talks (PCT) mechanism- 5th round of which was held in Islamabad in early 2018 during the visit by Undersecretary Foreign Affairs Mr. Enrique Manalo to Islamabad (Mr. Enrique Manalo is currently the Minister for Foreign Affairs). The Policy Consultation Meeting serves as a forum for the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss bilateral, regional and multilateral issues, present the political and economic policies of both governments, coordinate joint efforts, explore new areas for cooperation, and facilitate the conclusion of bilateral agreements. The next PCT is expected to be held in Manila during 2023.

Philippines-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) nThe inaugural session of Pakistan- Philippines JEC was held in February 2018 after a gap of nine years after the conclusion of relevant MoU. Actions/followup on decisions of 1st JEC need to be ensured, especially on the decision to re-activate PakistanPhilippines Joint Business Council (JBC) and to conduct a feasibility study for initiating a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries. Both sides may explore to raise the JEC Chair to Ministerial level (Currently it is at Secretaries’ level). JEC sessions should be coupled with a B2B event of Pakistan- Philippines businessmen from both the public as well as private sector. Philippine side has confirmed to hold it during current year’s second half along with Bilateral Political Consultations at the Foreign Secretary level.

Economic Cooperation nThe Philippines and Pakistan signed two (2) economic agreements, namely the PhilippinesPakistan Trade Agreement and the PhilippinesPakistan Agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investment, on 29 September 1961 and 23 April 1999 in Manila, respectively. The Agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of