ISLAMABAD, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- A senior Pakistani diplomat on Thursday called for a strategic alignment between Pakistan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), urging deeper engagement amid rising global uncertainty.
"This is the hour, not merely for routine dialogue, but for strategic alignment," said Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, additional secretary for Asia Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a roundtable titled "Pakistan and ASEAN: A Growing Partnership" held at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), an Islamabad-based think tank, on the eve of ASEAN Day.
Siddiqui, the chief guest, said Pakistan's engagement with ASEAN should now advance to a full dialogue partnership. He praised ASEAN as a "model of relevance" in a world where multilateralism faces mounting pressure, highlighting its consensus-based approach to regional cooperation.
He noted that Pakistan had already achieved 30 percent of its targets under the 2024-2028 roadmap for ASEAN cooperation, citing joint media exchanges, business forums, scientific research, and cultural diplomacy.
He also highlighted potential areas for collaboration, including climate resilience, counter-terrorism, smart cities, digital innovation, and educational exchanges.
The roundtable brought together ASEAN heads of missions in Islamabad, Pakistani envoys posted in ASEAN capitals, scholars, diplomats, and civil society representatives.
In his opening remarks, ISSI Director General Sohail Mahmood highlighted the expanding scope of Pakistan-ASEAN ties, noting that bilateral trade reached nearly 11 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. He supported calls to upgrade Pakistan's dialogue status with ASEAN and emphasized greater integration through frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. ■