MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday expressed his country's willingness to expand defense and counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan.
Duterte's comments came as he received the credentials of several new envoys to Manila, including Pakistani Ambassador Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad Kazi.
"Let me extend our military-to-military exchanges and sharing of intelligence and best practices, particularly in countering terrorism and violence," Duterte told Kazi while accepting his letter of credence.
"I recall my visit aboard the Navy Ship PNS Saif in 2017," he said, referring to a Pakistan Navy frigate.
During the ceremony, Kazi praised Duterte's "far-sighted policies, "leadership which has brought so many dividends for the Republic of the Philippines," and success in containing the COVID-19 outbreak.
"Our two countries ... enjoyed long enduring ties of friendship and cooperation. In fact, we started off in 1949, when a consulate of the Philippines was opened in Karachi," he said.
He also referred to the island region of Mindanao, which has a significant Muslim population and has seen numerous outbreaks of militancy and separatism.
"We, in Pakistan, admire the consistent endeavors of Your Excellency towards restoration of peace and stability in the Mindanao region, which has brought increased trust and stability and trust among the stakeholders and significant prosperity for the people of the region and the country," Kazi said.
In 2017, Duterte declared martial law in the entire Mindanao following a five-month siege of Marawi City by Daesh-affiliated militants.
During the same ceremony, the Philippine president also promised to expand defense cooperation with India, as he welcomed New Delhi's envoy Shambhu Kumaran.
“The Philippines is committed to further enhance cooperation with India in defense, security, trade and investments, and in combating the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said, adding that India-Philippines relations were driven by synergies between his administration’s "independent foreign policy" and India’s Act East strategy.
Philippine’s Duterte says wants to expand defense, counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan
https://arab.news/4a26w
Philippine’s Duterte says wants to expand defense, counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan
- Philippine president received the credentials of Pakistan's new ambassador to Manila on Wednesday
- He said he wants to expand military-to-military exchanges and intelligence sharing with Pakistan
Pakistan, ADB sign $730 loan agreements to boost SOE reforms, energy infrastructure
- Both sign $330 million Power Transmission Strengthening Project and $400 million SOE Transformation Program loan agreements
- Economic Affairs Division official says Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening national grid’s backbone
KARACHI: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday signed two loan agreements totaling $730 million to boost reforms in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and energy infrastructure in the country, the bank said.
The first of the two agreements pertains to the SOE Transformation Program worth $400 million while the second loan, worth $330 million, is for a Power Transmission Strengthening Project, the lender said.
The agreements were signed by ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan and Pakistan’s Secretary of Economic Affairs Division Humair Karim.
“The agreements demonstrate ADB’s enduring commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan,” the ADB said.
Pakistan’s SOEs have incurred losses worth billions of dollars over the years due to financial mismanagement and corruption. These entities, including the country’s national airline Pakistan International Airlines, which was sold to a private group this week, have relied on subsequent government bailouts over the years to operate.
The ADB approved the $400 million loan for SOE reforms on Dec. 12. It said the program seeks to improve governance and optimize the performance of Pakistan’s commercial SOEs.
Karim highlighted that the Power Transmission Strengthening Project will enable reliable evacuation of 2,300 MW from Pakistan’s upcoming hydropower projects, relieve overloading of existing transmission lines and enhance resilience under contingency conditions, the Press Information Department (PID) said.
“The Secretary emphasized that both initiatives are transformative in nature as the Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening the backbone of the national grid whereas the SOE Program will enhance transparency, efficiency and sustainability of state-owned enterprises nationwide,” the PID said.
The ADB has supported reforms by Pakistan to strengthen its public finance and social protection systems. It has also undertaken programs in the country to help with post-flood reconstruction, improve food security and social and human capital.
To date, ADB says it has committed 764 public sector loans, grants and technical assistance totaling $43.4 billion to Pakistan.
