ISLAMABAD, 18 June 2026—Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez, accompanied by his spouse, Mme. Alicia Kalaw-Fernandez, attended a reception celebrating the 128th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence organized by the Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industries (ICSTSI) on 18 June 2026.
The Ambassador was invited to grace the occasion and deliver remarks before the Chamber’s officers and members. Upon arrival, Ambassador Fernandez and Mme. Kalaw-Fernandez were warmly received by the Chamber’s leadership, headed by its President, Mr. Muhammad Awais Satti, and Vice President, Mr. Sardar Zaheer Ahmed.
In his address, Ambassador Fernandez thanked the Chamber for joining the Philippine Embassy in commemorating Philippine Independence and underscored the important role of entrepreneurs, traders, investors, and business leaders in transforming goodwill between nations into tangible economic opportunities for their peoples.
Reflecting on the significance of Philippine Independence, the Ambassador noted that freedom is not only the absence of foreign domination but also the ability of nations to choose their own path and build partnerships that advance the welfare of their people. He recalled that shortly after Pakistan gained its independence, the Philippines became one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the newly independent country, laying the foundation for a friendship that has endured for seventy-seven years.
Ambassador Fernandez highlighted the Philippine Embassy’s efforts to further strengthen Pakistan-Philippines relations through three complementary pillars: stronger people-to-people ties, deeper economic cooperation, and enhanced political partnership. He emphasized the contributions of the Filipino community in Pakistan in fostering mutual understanding between the two countries and cited ongoing efforts to promote greater academic and educational exchanges.
On economic cooperation, the Ambassador stressed the important role of the private sector in shaping the future of bilateral relations. He noted the commitment of both countries to expanding trade and investment ties, including through the recent meeting of the Pakistan-Philippines Joint Economic Commission. He also highlighted the Philippines’ strategic location in Southeast Asia and its membership in ASEAN, which provides access to a regional market of more than 680 million people. At the same time, he expressed the Philippines’ interest in deeper engagement with Pakistan’s dynamic private sector, particularly small and medium enterprises.
The Ambassador also emphasized the shared commitment of the Philippines and Pakistan to peace, sovereignty, the rule of law, and a rules-based international order, noting that both countries continue to cooperate in addressing common challenges such as climate resilience, disaster preparedness, environmental protection, and human capital development.
Following the Ambassador’s remarks, an open forum was held during which members of the Chamber engaged him in a wide-ranging discussion on the Philippines, including the trade, investment, and tourism opportunities it offers. Participants also exchanged views on how economic, commercial, and tourism linkages between Pakistan and the Philippines could be further enhanced.
The event concluded with a productive dialogue between the Ambassador and the Chamber’s leadership and members, ending with a shared commitment to remain in close communication and to work together toward concrete initiatives that will further strengthen trade, investment, and people-to-people ties between the Philippines and Pakistan. In her own concluding remarks at the end of the event, Mme. Alicia Kalaw-Fernandez thanked the organisers for holding a reception commemorating the 128th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, and expressed her hope that the relations between our countries and peoples would continue to grow and prosper over the years. END
