ISLAMABAD, AUG 7 /DNA/ – The China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted a roundtable titled “Pakistan and ASEAN: A Growing Partnership,” as part of commemoration of ASEAN Day (8 August). The distinguished speakers included Heads of Missions of ASEAN member states in Islamabad and Pakistan’s Heads of Missions in ASEAN capitals. Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific), MoFA, was the Chief Guest. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI, made remarks at the event, whereas Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director CPSC, moderated the session. Prominent civil servants, diplomats, academicians, civil society members, and media personnel attended the event.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood emphasized the growing partnership between Pakistan and ASEAN, highlighting the collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad (ACI). He acknowledged the leadership of ACI, which is presently chaired by H.E. Col. (Retd) Pengiran Haji Kamal Bashah Bin Pengiran Haji Ahmad and the valuable contributions of ASEAN Heads of Missions. Ambassador Mahmood underscored ASEAN’s global salience, noting its economic prowess with a GDP of $3.67 trillion and its strategic relevance in maintaining regional stability and economic integration, including through initiatives like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Ambassador Mahmood elaborated on Pakistan’s historical engagement with ASEAN, being the oldest Sectoral Dialogue Partner. He highlighted the expanding scope of collaboration, including trade, counter-terrorism, security, and people-to-people exchanges, with bilateral trade reaching nearly $11 billion in 2022. Emphasizing the need for accelerated progress, he pointed to the importance of implementing Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) and exploring linkages with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He also stressed the importance of moving towards graduating the Sectoral Dialogue to Full Dialogue Partnership. Lastly, Ambassador Mahmood reiterated ISSI’s commitment to reinforcing efforts for strengthening Pakistan-ASEAN relations through ongoing ISSI-ACI dialogue, the ‘ASEAN Corner’, and ISSI-ASEAN think-tank network, fostering deeper ties for mutual prosperity and regional stability.
H.E. Col. (Retd) Pengiran Haji Kamal Bashah Bin Pengiran Haji Ahmad, Chairman ACI and High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam, highlighted the bloc’s commitment to stability, mutual cooperation, diversity, and inclusivity, which have been instrumental in fostering a resilient region. Ambassador Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, High Commissioner of Malaysia, emphasized the robust bilateral trade that has reached $1.5 billion in 2023-24.
In her remarks, Ambassador Maria Agnes M. Cervantes, the Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan, highlighted severe impact of climate change on both the Philippines and Pakistan, advocating for robust climate action with ASEAN’s support.
Ambassador Wunna Han, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, stressed the strong and multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and ASEAN member states that includes collaboration in areas such as education, religion, cultural exchanges and regional cooperation. Ambassador Pham Anh Tuan of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam underlined long-standing relations between ASEAN and Pakistan including in areas of mutual interest such as politics, culture, science, technology and education. Charge d’ Affaires of the Republic of Indonesia, Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma, and Ms. Kamolawan Sriposil, Charge d’ Affaires of the Kingdom of Thailand, also spoke about growing Pakistan and ASEAN relations.
Mr. Muhammad Faisal shared an academic perspective, emphasizing ASEAN’s success in fostering regional economic support and good relations, serving as a valuable lesson for South Asia. He advocated for stronger dialogue partnerships and bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and ASEAN countries.
Pakistani Heads of Missions posted in ASEAN capitals made interventions at the event. Ambassador Ameer Khurram Rathore, Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN, emphasized the critical importance of ASEAN for Pakistan, highlighting the region’s role in maintaining peace, security, and economic integration. Ambassador Zaheeruddin Babar in Cambodia shared growing bilateral trade between Pakistan and Cambodia and highlighted efforts for the opening of a resident Cambodian mission in Islamabad. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Syed Ahsan Raza Shah highlighted the increasing number of Malaysian tourists visiting Pakistan and the robust investment relationship between the two nations. High Commissioner to Singapore Rabia Shafiq underlined that strong bilateral relations between Pakistan and Singapore serve as a crucial gateway to the ASEAN market.
Chief Guest Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific) Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui highlighted the significant achievements of ASEAN over the past 57 years, emphasizing the successful cooperation among member states towards the shared vision of “One Vision, One Identity, One Community.” Ambassador Siddiqui also underscored the potential for Pakistan to enhance collaboration with ASEAN in trade, economic, political, security, and social and cultural domains, drawing also on shared heritage such as the Gandhara Civilization and Islamic culture. Future avenues for enhanced cooperation were identified including tourism, climate change, counter-terrorism, combating Islamophobia, and cyber security.
The roundtable concluded with remarks by Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG, ISSI, who highlighted the evolution and significance of ASEAN over its 57-year history, emphasizing its role in promoting connectivity, trade, and investment in Southeast Asia and beyond. Earlier, in his remarks, Dr. Talat Shabbir highlighted the evolving partnership between Pakistan and ASEAN. He emphasized Pakistan’s status as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN since 1993 and highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to become a Full Dialogue Partner as part of the “Vision East Asia” policy.
![PESHAWAR, JAN 12 /DNA/ - Owing to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's precarious law and order circumstances, the provincial assembly has written a letter to the Peshawar corps commander seeking an in-camera briefing on ongoing operations and the security situation in the province. "The [special] Committee desires to receive a detailed briefing from Headquarters XI Corps, Peshawar, particularly in the context of the ongoing operations being conducted by the federal government and LEAs in the merged districts of KP," reads the letter issued by KP Assembly Deputy Secretary Tariq Noor, while referring to the Special Committee (on Security) constituted by the house. The committee features more than 40 members, including the leader of the house, the leader of the opposition and provincial ministers, along with parliamentary leaders of respective political parties. The letter, dated January 8, also points out that the committee has received detailed briefings from key stakeholders, including the chief secretary, the additional chief secretary, the IGP, and now seeks a briefing as part of the consultative process. Letter written by KP Assemblys deputy secretary to Headquarters XI Corps. — Reporter Letter written by KP Assembly's deputy secretary to Headquarters XI Corps. — Reporter The KP Assembly's request for a briefing from a senior army commander comes as the province, as stated by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry in a recent media briefing, accounted for nearly 71% of all the terrorist incidents in 2025. The overwhelming share of KP in facing terror incidents, as per the military's spokesperson, was due to a "politically conducive environment and the flourishing political-criminal-terror-nexus" in the province. Noting that the Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in KP was resisting counterterrorism efforts at every forum — a claim denied by the PTI — Lt Gen Chaudhry highlighted that the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) carried out 75,175 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across the country in 2025, of which 14,658 IBOs were conducted in KP. Out of the total 5,397 terrorism incidents reported nationwide in the previous year, as many as 3,811 incidents occurred in KP. The issue of terrorism and military operations has been a point of contention between the PTI's KP government and the Centre in recent times, where the former has time and again stressed a political solution and dialogue, whereas the latter has pressed on with taking action against the terrorists. This is also reflected by the KP Assembly's letter to the Headquarters XI Corps, Peshawar, which says that the Special Committee (on Security) "acknowledges the importance of security measures but considers that operation alone without broader political, social and developmental initiatives may not ensure suitable peace and stability and could risk further unrest in the province".](https://islamabadpost.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/security-forces-218x150.jpg "KP Assembly seeks Peshawar corps commander’s in-camera briefing on security situation")
 at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted a){kind=link}