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
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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
‘Fully stand with Bangladesh’: Pakistan PM backs decision to boycott India match
- Pakistan’s government have not allowed the national cricket team to play its World Cup match against India on Feb. 15
- Pakistan has accused India of influencing ICC decisions, criticized global cricket body for replacing Bangladesh in World Cup
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday backed his government’s decision to bar the national men’s cricket team from playing against India in the upcoming T20 World Cup tournament, reaffirming support for Bangladesh.
Pakistan’s government announced on social media platform X last week that it has allowed its national team to travel to Sri Lanka for the World Cup. However, it said the Green Shirts will not take the field against India on their scheduled match on Feb. 15.
Pakistan’s participation in the tournament was thrown into doubt after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) for replacing Bangladesh with Scotland. The decision was taken after Bangladesh said it would not let its team travel to India out of security concerns.
During a meeting of the federal cabinet, Sharif highlighted that Pakistan has said that politics should be kept away from sports.
“We have taken this stand after careful consideration and in this regard, we should stand fully with Bangladesh,” Sharif said in televised remarks.
“And I believe this is a very reasonable decision.”
Pakistan has blamed India for influencing the ICC’s decisions. The global cricket governing body is currently led by Jay Shah, the head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Shah is the son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah.
Pakistan’s boycott announcement has triggered media frenzy worldwide, with several Indian cricket experts and analysts criticizing Islamabad for the decision. An India-Pakistan cricket contest is by far the most lucrative and eagerly watched match of any ICC tournament.
The ICC has ensured that the two rivals and Asian cricket giants are always in the same group of any ICC event since 2012 to capitalize on the high-stakes game.
The two teams have played each other at neutral venues over the past several years, as bilateral cricket remains suspended between them since 2013 due to political tensions.
Those tensions have persisted since the two nuclear-armed nations engaged in the worst fighting between them since 1999 in May 2025, after India blamed Pakistan for an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed tourists.
Pakistan denied India’s allegations that it was involved in the attack, calling for a credible probe into the incident.
