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We congratulate the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on
the occasion of its Independence Day celebration. It became an
independent sovereign state on August 14, 1947, when the former
British India was partitioned.
The country comprises a vast area
that was the great center of ancient civilizations. About 4000-2500
B.C. the Mohenjodaro Indus Valley civilization, which had large
cities and impressive irrigation and grain storage systems,
flourished in the area.
Pakistan is one of the
fastest-growing economies in Asia along with China and India. In the
last three years, average real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth
has been 7.5 percent. Standard and Poor’s “Select Frontier Index
2007” places Pakistan at the top.
Pakistan and the Philippines
enjoy long standing ties of friendship and cooperation.
Official bilateral relations
commenced with the establishment of the Philippine Consulate in
Karachi on September 9, 1949. The Philippine Embassy opened in
Karachi in 1956.
Alliance partners
Both countries in 1954 became
alliance partners in the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, which
disbanded in 1977 but became the basis of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Both countries were the foremost
allies of the United States during the Cold War, during which
Pakistan also had close relations with the People’s Republic of
China.
In May 1957, Pakistan Prime
Minister Husseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy made an official visit to the
Philippines. This was reciprocated by President Diosdado Macapagal
in July of 1962. Then a little girl, President Gloria Arroyo,
accompanied her father and mother to Pakistan.
Following the 9/11 tragedy in the
United States, Pakistan and the Philippines have been on the
forefront in the war against terror. As developing countries both
share concerns for global equity and fair trade opportunities. Both
are partners in the initiative to promote dialogue among different
faiths for creating global harmony.
Many bilateral agreements have
strengthened the relations between Pakistan and the Philippines.
Some of these were signed when President Musharraf was in Manila on
a state visit—the first by a Pakistani head of state—on April 18
to 20 2005 at the invitation of President Gloria Arroyo. The visit
revitalized political and security relations as well as economic
relations. The two countries reaffirmed their common commitment to
combat terrorism.
Cheaper medicine
Among the important agreements
sealed when President Misharraf was here is the one between the
Philippine International Trading Corporation and United Marketing of
Pakistan for the supply of pharmaceuticals from Pakistan to support
the low-cost medicines program of the Philippine Government.
Pakistan has served as an important model to various sectors of
Filipinos in formulating our generic-medicines legislation and
future manufacturing programs.
President Musharraf addressed a
joint session of the Congress of the Philippines, a privilege rarely
given to state visitors.
Pakistan’s growing involvement
with Asean contributes to the overall economic, political, and
social stability of the Asia Pacific region. The Philippines
supported Pakistan’s membership in the Asean Regional Forum. The
two countries have supported each other’s positions in the
North-South and South-South forums, the Group of 77, and the
Non-Aligned Movement. The Philippines counts on Pakistan’s support
in the Organization of the Islamic Conference against efforts of
Muslim rebel organizations to discredit the Philippine government.
The Philippines has been seeking Pakistan’s assistance in gaining
Observer Status in the OIC.
Trade between the two countries
is growing. But it can be massively increased for the mutual benefit
of the Pakistani and Filipino peoples.
Pakistan’s “Vision East Asia
Policy” commits it to deepening and broadening its relations with
Philippines. The Philippines is similarly committed to that goal,
which we in The Manila Times will continue to help attain.
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