TFD NEWS
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that Pakistan and the Philippines enjoy warm and friendly relations based on mutual respect, shared values and growing cooperation, stressing the need to further strengthen bilateral ties in trade, agriculture, information technology, social welfare, education, healthcare, tourism and cultural exchanges.
He was speaking as chief guest at a reception held at the Pearl Continental Hotel to celebrate the 128th Independence Day of the Republic of the Philippines on Monday evening.
Extending heartfelt felicitations to the Government and people of the Philippines on behalf of the Government and people of Sindh, the Chief Minister said the Independence Day of the Philippines was a symbol of courage, resilience and an unwavering commitment to freedom, sovereignty and national progress.
The ceremony was attended by Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Pakistan Dr Emmanuel R. Fernandez, Madam Alicia Kalaw-Fernandez, Honorary Consul General of the Philippines in Karachi Dr M. Imran Yousuf, diplomats, business leaders, members of the Filipino community and other distinguished guests.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Dr Emmanuel R. Fernandez thanked the Government of Sindh, the diplomatic community, business leaders and friends of the Philippines for joining the Independence Day celebration. He said Pakistan and the Philippines have enjoyed friendly relations for decades and both nations share common aspirations for peace, development and prosperity.
The Ambassador said the Philippines attached great importance to its relations with Pakistan and was keen to further expand cooperation in trade, investment, education, tourism, culture and people-to-people exchanges. He said such occasions provide an opportunity to celebrate not only national pride but also friendship with partner countries. He appreciated the support extended by the Government of Sindh and the Filipino community in Karachi for promoting goodwill and mutual understanding between the two countries.
Honorary Consul General of the Philippines in Karachi Dr M. Imran Yousuf, in his welcome remarks, said Pakistan-Philippines relations were rooted in mutual respect, friendship and cooperation. He said Karachi, being Pakistan’s commercial hub, could play an important role in expanding economic linkages between the two countries, particularly in trade, services, agriculture, education, healthcare, skills development and information technology.
Dr Imran Yousuf said the Consulate would continue to work for strengthening bilateral, cultural and economic relations, while also facilitating greater interaction between the business communities and people of both countries. He said the presence of the Chief Minister, diplomats and leading personalities at the event reflected the warmth and depth of Pakistan-Philippines friendship.
Murad Ali Shah said relations between Pakistan and the Philippines have continued to grow over the years and both countries have significant potential to expand their partnership in several important sectors. He noted with satisfaction that bilateral trade between the two countries has reached approximately $370 million annually, with Pakistan’s exports accounting for nearly $350 million.
He said the figures reflected the strength of the economic partnership as well as the vast opportunities available for further growth.
Highlighting Sindh’s contribution to bilateral trade, the Chief Minister said the Philippines remained an important destination for Pakistan’s rice exports, particularly IRRI-6 and IRRI-9 varieties produced in Larkana and other parts of Sindh. He appreciated the confidence shown by the Philippines in the quality of Sindh’s agricultural products and welcomed greater cooperation in the agriculture sector.
The Chief Minister also underlined the scope for collaboration in information technology and business process outsourcing, saying the Philippines had emerged as a global leader in the BPO sector. He said institutions in Sindh, including the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Human Resource Research and Development Board, were exploring opportunities for partnership and knowledge-sharing with their Philippine counterparts.
Referring to cooperation in the social welfare sector, Murad Ali Shah appreciated the engagement between the National Council on Disability Affairs of the Philippines and Sindh’s Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. He said such collaboration would help both sides exchange best practices and strengthen joint efforts to build more inclusive societies.
He also lauded the social responsibility initiatives of the Philippine Consulate, particularly its focus on children with autism. The Chief Minister expressed pleasure over the participation of stalls representing the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, BBSHRRDB and autism-related initiatives at the event, saying these reflected a shared commitment to inclusion, empowerment and human development.
Murad Ali Shah said Karachi had always welcomed diversity, friendship and international cooperation. He added that the Filipino community had enriched the city’s social and cultural fabric through its professionalism, dedication and valuable contribution in different fields.
Reaffirming Sindh’s commitment to further promoting friendly relations between Pakistan and the Philippines, the Chief Minister said both countries could benefit from deeper cooperation in trade, agriculture, IT, skills development, education, healthcare, tourism and people-to-people contacts.
He once again congratulated the Ambassador, the Philippine Consulate and the Filipino community on the 128th Independence Day of the Philippines and conveyed his best wishes for the continued peace, prosperity and progress of the country.
“Mabuhay ang Pilipinas. Pakistan-Philippines Friendship Zindabad,” the Chief Minister said.
