Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Friday the possible resumption of direct flights between Pakistan and Singapore “to facilitate business travel and close contact between our peoples”.
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Dar → discuss → peoples
Dar shared this while addressing a press conference alongside Balakrishnan, who is on an official visit to Pakistan.
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who → share → Pakistan
He began by saying that Pakistan and Singapore enjoyed longstanding and friendly ties focused on mutual respect and goodwill, and Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognise Singapore following its independence in 1965.
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Pakistan → begin → 1965
He noted that Balakrishnan’s visit to Pakistan was the first one by a Singaporean foreign minister in over two decades.
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visit → note → decades
“I am grateful that he was kind to accept my invitation,” he said, adding that the trip was particularly significant as the two countries were commemorating 60 years of diplomatic relations this year.
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countries → accept → relations
“The visit reflects our shared commitment to strengthen this friendship and broaden our cooperation.”
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visit → reflect → cooperation
Dar said that delegation-level talks and a restricted meeting between the two sides earlier in the day focused on strengthening political and economic ties, expanding cooperation in technology and education and promoting culture and people-to-people contact.
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talks → say → people
“We also exchanged views on key regional and international developments,” he added.
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he → exchange → developments
He further stated that the two sides had recognised “the considerable untapped potential in our relationship” and stressed the importance of sustained engagement.
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sides → state → engagement
“We agreed to hold regular bilateral political consultation and promote high-level exchanges to strengthen cooperation between our governments and institutions,” he said, adding that economic cooperation was central to the discussions.
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cooperation → agree → discussions
He said “we welcomed the significant growth” in bilateral trade between the two countries and discussed ways to build on this progress further.
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we → say → progress
“We agreed to encourage closer engagement between our business communities through the exchange of business delegations and stronger links between our chambers of commerce,” he elaborated.
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he → agree → commerce
Moreover, Dar continued, the reopening of the Trade and Investment Office at Pakistan’s High Commission in Singapore had also been discussed.
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reopening → continue → Singapore
“The reopening of the Pakistan Trade and Investment Office is a testament to Pakistan’s resolve to promote stronger B2B ties with our friendly country Singapore.”
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reopening → promote → country
Beyond trade and investment, he said: “We discussed the scope for closer cooperation in education, research and innovation, including digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
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We → say → technologies
We also considered ways to strengthen links between our universities and research institutions.
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We → consider → universities
We also agreed to deepen cooperation in human resource development, agriculture and climate domains.”
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We → agree → development
Dar noted that Pakistani professionals in Singapore contributed to its economy and society and served as a “valuable bridge between our two nations”.
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professionals → note → nations
He said, “We agreed to encourage greater cultural, academic, youth and people-to-people exchanges.”
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We → say → people
Moreover, he said, “We also discussed the possible resumption of direct flights to facilitate business travel and close contact between our peoples.”
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We → say → peoples
Pakistan’s engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as the country’s “oldest sectoral dialogue partner” also came under discussion, Dar said.
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Dar → come → discussion
“Pakistan attaches great importance to practical cooperation with the organisation and its member states.
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Pakistan → attach → organisation
I convey Pakistan’s best wishes to Singapore as it prepares to assume the Asean chairmanship in 2027.
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it → convey → 2027
“We look forward to working closely with Singapore in support of its priorities as the chair and to further strengthening the Pakistan-Asean cooperation.”
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We → look → cooperation
Dar said the meetings in Islamabad also presented the opportunity to share perspectives on regional and international peace and the security landscape.
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meetings → say → peace
“We discussed the impact of regional tensions on maritime trade,” he said, adding that secure sea routes and uninterrupted supply chains were essential to trade and economic stability.
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routes → discuss → trade
He said the two sides had reaffirmed the central role of dialogue and diplomacy, respect for international law and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter in addressing regional and global challenges.
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sides → say → challenges
The DPM said he had conveyed to the visiting dignitary that Pakistan remained engaged with key regional and international partners to encourage continued dialogue and diplomacy as it was the “only viable means to resolve outstanding challenges”.
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it → say → challenges
On Palestine, he said, “I expressed concern over the continued expansion of illegal settlements and efforts to alter the status of the West Bank and Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
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I → say → Bank
I stressed the urgent need for unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.
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I → stress → Gaza
I reiterated firm support for an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous state of Palestine based on pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, which is the stated policy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan”.
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which → reiterate → Pakistan
In the context of South Asia, Dar said he briefed the visiting dignitary on the importance of a “just, durable and peaceful settlement of the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions”.
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he → say → resolutions
He concluded his speech by saying: “We look forward to working very closely with Singapore to carry forward the understanding reached today.
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We → conclude → understanding
Pakistan and Singapore’s friendship remains strong and forward-looking as we mark 60 years of diplomatic relations.
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we → remain → relations
“We have committed to deepening this partnership and building a more prosperous future for our people.”
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We → commit → people
Speaking after him, Balakrishnan began by saying: “This is a significant year for Singapore and Pakistan.
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This → speak → Singapore
We have never forgotten that Pakistan was one of the earliest countries to recognise Singapore’s independence.
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Pakistan → forget → independence
And that’s why we are commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties.”
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we → ’ → ties
Over the years, he said, there had been high-level exchanges between the two countries.
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he → say → countries
He added that “we’ve had opportunities for a substantive and productive exchange of views”.
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we → add → views
…and 57 more, not listed.
The Aporia
