New milestones in friendship: Pakistan celebrates national day and 40 years of diplomatic ties with Korea

Hunza Valley in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan / Courtesy of Embassy of Pakistan in Korea

By Nabeel Munir

Pakistani Ambassador to Korea Nabeel Munir

Pakistan commemorates March 23 as its national day. It is, for us, a day to remember and pay tribute to the achievements and the political struggle of the Founder of the Nation Qaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the leaders of the "Pakistan Movement." They were able to unite the nation, in a challenging environment, through their unparalleled sacrifice.

It is also a time of reflection and of renewing our resolve to continue working toward fulfilling the promise and the potential that this land of 220 million great people possesses.

Eighty-three years ago, our founding fathers adopted the historic "Pakistan Resolution" in the city of Lahore. Based on the two-nation theory, this was a landmark in the history of political consciousness in British India, as it demanded the creation of a separate state.

The Resolution and the political thought of the leaders of the Pakistan Movement also translated into the broad contours of the foreign policy of Pakistan ― one that envisions Pakistan's foreign policy as one of friendliness and goodwill toward all nations of the world; that believes in the principles of honesty and fair play in international relations; and that strives to promote international peace and prosperity, and uphold the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter.

Derawar Fort in Punjab Province, Pakistan / Courtesy of Embassy of Pakistan in Korea

Pakistan-Korea relations

Pakistan established formal diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Nov. 7, 1983. This year, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

People-to-people bonds between Pakistan and ROK, however, are much older. It was in 384 AD that Monk Maranantha brought Buddhism to the ancient kingdom of Baekje from Swabi in Pakistan. He traveled across China, arriving at Beopseongpo in Yeonggwang County in the Baekje Kingdom. The city hosts a memorial and a museum in his honor, acknowledging his Gandhara roots in what is now Pakistan.

Pakistan extended support to the newly-independent ROK at the United Nations, then for its first democratic elections, and later, during the Korean War. More recently, in 2021, Pakistan assisted the ROK in evacuating eligible Afghan nationals from Afghanistan, through the aptly named "Operation Miracle."

Bilateral relations between Pakistan and the ROK have grown from strength to strength over the years, across a range of areas, including socio-economic development, politics, defense, trade and investment, education, science, climate change, human resource exchange, people-to-people contacts and more.

Economic partnership

The Republic of Korea is an important trade, investment and development partner of Pakistan.

The total annual bilateral trade between the countries stands at around $1.7 billion.

Korean investments in Pakistan are in diverse fields, from electronics to vehicles, and from confectionery to hydro and thermal power. Other major sectors include automobiles, electronics and chemicals.

For several decades, Korean companies have been profitably operating in Pakistan. Daewoo, Lotte, Samsung, Hyundai and Kia are now household names in Pakistan. Additionally, companies like K-water, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), Korea South-East Power Co. (KOEN), Daewoo, Lotte, Daelim, and SK ecoplant have been investing in hydro and wind power projects. On a smaller scale, Korean companies have also been investing in real estate, agriculture, textile and other areas.

However, we believe, the size of Pakistan's population, its agricultural output, its young IT-savvy generation, and an increasing demand for goods and services, make it a perfect country to invest in. Additionally, Pakistan could also be a gateway to Central Asia, the Middle East and beyond.

I therefore urge Korean companies to fully utilize the investment-friendly policies of the Government to invest in Pakistan. It will be investing in the future.

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Chilam Joshi festival in Kalash Valley / Courtesy of Embassy of Pakistan in Korea

Pakistan also greatly values its development cooperation with the ROK. Seoul has been extending official development assistance (ODA) to our country since 1991. Projects including highways, hydro-power, hospitals, and IT parks have been supported through ROK's Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF). The EDCF Framework Agreement outlay for the period of 2022-26 is $1 billion.

While Korean development assistance is much appreciated by Pakistan, another avenue that remains untapped is the removal of hindrances to trade between the two countries. A free trade agreement (FTA)/Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) would be the logical next step aimed at elevating our economic partnership. Both countries understand its benefits, and we are looking forward to working on it with our Korean friends this year.

Pakistan and Korea have also been collaborating in agricultural research. A Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA) center, established in Pakistan, is enabling Pakistani farmers to obtain seeds of their crops locally, instead of sourcing them from another country. This is not only helping in achieving seed self-sufficiency for farmers, but the center will also act as a window for cooperation in agricultural technology and research between the two countries.

Human resource

Pakistan is a strong partner of the ROK in the field of human resources. Through the Korean Employment Permit System (EPS), aimed at providing labor to ROK industries through the systematic import of foreign workforce, our workers are contributing to the economic development of the country.

Last year alone, around 2,000 workers from Pakistan arrived in the ROK under the system. This year, with the support of our Korean partners, we are hoping to significantly increase this number.

We are also exploring the possibility of fulfilling the current labor shortages in the Korea Offshore and Shipbuilding Association (KOSHIPA)-member companies through the provision of skilled workforce from Pakistan.

"Fasting Buddha" at the Lahore Museum / Courtesy of Embassy of Pakistan in Korea

Tourism potential

From the mighty stretches of the Karakorams, the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush in the North, to the vast alluvial delta of the Indus River in the South, Pakistan is a land of diversity and beauty. It is known for its breathtaking landscape, amazing geography, glorious history, diverse climate and clearly defined four seasons, making it irresistible for a tourist to visit this amazing land.

Pakistan is an especially important site for both Sikh and Buddhist tourists. At one point, Punjab was the center of the only Sikh empire in history. Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Baba Guru Nanak (founder of the Sikh religion), is one of the holiest sites for Sikhs, with the potential to attract as many pilgrims as the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Pakistan's Gandhara region, comprising Mardan, Taxila and Swat, holds a special place in the hearts of Buddhists. Buddhism in Korea was also brought by a Monk from what is now Pakistan, Monk Maranantha, and later a Korean Monk Hyecho traveled to Pakistan some 1,300 years ago. The great and beautiful statue of the "Fasting Buddha" is hosted by the Lahore Museum.

Recently, a 48-foot-long Buddha was unearthed in Haripur making it the world's oldest sleeping Buddha statue.

Looking ahead

Based on the trust we have built over decades, the potential for strengthening bilateral relations, be it in trade and investment or human resource and defense, is huge. What we have been able to accomplish thus far, may not even be the tip of the iceberg.

So as we celebrate 40 years of a multidimensional partnership, our work is cut out for us.

Let us continue to forge ahead in pursuit of the common good, the betterment of our peoples and win-win partnerships.

We look forward to working with the government and the people of the Republic of Korea to move forward together, toward our common dreams, vision and goal of peace and prosperity.

Pakistan-ROK friendship Zindabad (Manse)!

Nabeel Munir is Ambassador of Pakistan to the Republic of Korea.