KARACHI, 16 June 2026 — Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez, together with his spouse Mme. Alicia Kalaw-Fernandez, served as Guests of Honor at two separate celebrations in Karachi held in commemoration of the 128th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
The first celebration took place on 14 June 2026 at the premises of the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Karachi, hosted by Philippine Honorary Consul General Dr. Imran Yousuf. The event brought together members of the Filipino Community in Karachi and nearby areas in a gathering marked by cultural pride and solidarity.
In his remarks, Ambassador Fernandez paid tribute to the sacrifices of Filipino heroes who fought for the nation’s independence, emphasizing that freedom is both “freedom from” colonial domination and “freedom for” the exercise of sovereign choice, including the pursuit of friendship and cooperation with other nations. He highlighted that the Philippines established diplomatic relations with Pakistan in 1949, underscoring that Filipino overseas workers in Pakistan serve as “informal envoys” of goodwill whose professionalism and integrity help strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries. He likewise reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to deepening engagement in the fields of education, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange.
The second celebration was held on 15 June 2026 at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi, bringing together members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, government ministers, and leading figures from the business community. The event was attended by the Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, as Chief Guest.
In his keynote address, Ambassador Fernandez underscored Karachi’s historic and strategic significance as both the economic “center of gravity” of Pakistan and the birthplace of Philippines–Pakistan diplomatic relations, noting that the Philippines established its first consulate in the city in 1949, later elevated to an embassy in 1956. He reflected on the meaning of independence as a hard-won national legacy grounded in sacrifice, and outlined three key pillars guiding Philippine diplomatic engagement with Pakistan: strengthened people-to-people diplomacy, enhanced economic cooperation including through ASEAN linkages, and recalibrated political cooperation anchored on shared values such as peace, sovereignty, and a rules-based international order.
The Ambassador further highlighted the role of the Filipino community in Pakistan—numbering over 3,500—as vital “informal envoys” who promote mutual understanding and trust between the two nations, while also serving as cultural bridges through their experiences and stories of Pakistan in the Philippines. He also emphasized ongoing efforts to expand trade and investment relations, including the Pakistan–Philippines Joint Economic Commission and the Philippines’ role as a gateway to the ASEAN market of over 680 million people.
In his remarks, the Chief Minister of Sindh commended the longstanding and friendly relations between Pakistan and the Philippines, and welcomed continued efforts to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. He also acknowledged the valuable contributions of the Filipino community in Pakistan, particularly in strengthening mutual understanding and goodwill between the two countries, and expressed support for further enhancing subnational and institutional linkages.
The celebrations concluded in a spirit of friendship and mutual goodwill, reflecting the enduring 77-year diplomatic relationship between the Philippines and Pakistan. END
