ISLAMABAD: The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with Republic of Korea (ROK) embassy, held a Seminar on “40 Years of Friendship- Past, Present and Future between Republic of Korea and Pakistan”.
Speakers in the inaugural session included Dr Talat Shabbir, Korean Ambassador Park Kijun and Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General, ISSI.
Ambassador Park Kijun, in his remarks, emphasised the historic nature of the occasion, underscoring the robust and amicable ties between the two nations.
He highlighted the vast potential for mutually beneficial collaboration in diverse fields.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood was of the view that the completion of four decades of Pakistan-Republic of Korea diplomatic ties was, truly, a matter of celebration.
He emphasised the extremely friendly and cordial nature of bilateral ties; the steady upward trajectory of the partnership since its inception; and its comprehensive scope, encompassing high-level political and diplomatic exchanges, trade, investments, education, science & technology, defence, cultural cooperation, and people-to-people interactions.
The growth in bilateral trade and investments and the increase in Pakistani students studying in South Korea were also noted. Both nations shared an interest in a peaceful and prosperous South Asia and had collaborated in multilateral forums.
While celebrating the progress made thus far, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood stressed, it was essential to craft a vision for a robust economic partnership centred essentially on enhanced trade, investments, technology, and green transition.
The keynote address by Minister for Energy, Power & Petroleum Muhammad Ali emphasized the importance of sustainable energy solutions, research, innovation, and human resource development in advancing shared goals. He highlighted Pakistan’s intrinsic strengths and economic growth potential.
The minister also stressed that, looking ahead, the next 40 years held great promise with new initiatives on the horizon and a steadfast commitment to sustainable solutions, as both nations were driven by a shared vision of prosperity, sustainability and development.
Pakistan’s ambassador to ROK Nabeel Munir, Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Shaukat Mukadam, Former Ambassador to ROK and Raja Amer Iqbal, Former President of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Ambassador Nabeel Munir highlighted how the two countries shared family values, a deep sense of community, and a millennia-old bond manifested through the Buddhist tradition and Gandhara civilization. He also emphasised the extensive cooperation between Pakistan and Korea, including in the fields of trade, defence, IT, human resources, and infrastructure. Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch focused on the historical roots of Pakistan-Korea relations that dated back to the 5th Century. She commended the contributions of Korean peacekeeping troops in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan believed the two countries could work together to reinforce peace and security in South Asia as well as contribute to understandings that develop peace in the Asia-Pacific. There is a lot we can learn from each other due to our mutual experience of hostile neighbours, she concluded.
