I extend my warmest greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Republic of the Philippines on the auspicious occasion of the 128th Independence Anniversary of the Philippines.
This important national day is a proud reminder of the courage, resilience and determination of the Filipino people in their historic struggle for freedom, dignity and national progress. The Philippines has made remarkable strides as a vibrant nation with a rich cultural heritage, strong democratic traditions and a dynamic role in regional and global affairs.
Pakistan and the Philippines enjoy longstanding friendly relations founded on mutual respect, cooperation and shared aspirations for peace, development and prosperity. The formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries on September 9, 1949, laid the foundation for a relationship that has continued to grow over the decades in diverse fields including trade, education, culture, manpower, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
Sindh, particularly Karachi, has always remained an important centre of international engagement, commerce and cultural diversity. The presence and contribution of the Filipino community in Pakistan further strengthen the bonds of friendship between our two nations.
On this special occasion, I commend The Financial Daily International for publishing this commemorative supplement to highlight Pakistan-Philippines friendship and future avenues of cooperation. I also appreciate the efforts of Dr. Imran Yousuf, Honorary Consul General of the Philippines in Karachi, for promoting closer ties between the two friendly countries.
May the friendship between Pakistan and the Philippines continue to flourish in the years ahead.
