Islamabad, June 19, 2026: Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez, accompanied by his spouse Mme. Alicia Kalaw-Fernandez, attended a reception organized by the Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industries (ICSTSI) to commemorate the 128th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
The ambassador was invited as the guest of honor and addressed the chamber’s officers and members during the event. Upon arrival, Ambassador Fernandez and Mme. Kalaw-Fernandez were warmly welcomed by ICSTSI President Muhammad Awais Satti, Vice President Sardar Zaheer Ahmed, and other members of the chamber’s leadership.
In his remarks, Ambassador Fernandez thanked the chamber for joining the Philippine Embassy in celebrating Philippine Independence and highlighted the important role of entrepreneurs, traders, investors, and business leaders in transforming goodwill between nations into meaningful economic opportunities.
Reflecting on the significance of Philippine Independence, the ambassador noted that freedom represents not only the absence of foreign domination but also the ability of nations to determine their own future and forge partnerships that advance the welfare of their people.
He recalled that shortly after Pakistan gained independence, the Philippines was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the newly independent state, laying the foundation for a friendship that has endured for 77 years.
Ambassador Fernandez outlined the Philippine Embassy’s efforts to further strengthen bilateral relations through three key pillars: enhanced people-to-people exchanges, deeper economic cooperation, and stronger political partnership. He acknowledged the contributions of the Filipino community in Pakistan in promoting mutual understanding and highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at expanding academic and educational exchanges between the two countries.
Discussing economic cooperation, the ambassador emphasized the critical role of the private sector in shaping the future of Pakistan-Philippines relations. He noted both countries’ commitment to expanding trade and investment ties, including through the recent meeting of the Pakistan-Philippines Joint Economic Commission.
He also highlighted the Philippines’ strategic position 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’ keen interest in engaging more closely with Pakistan’s dynamic private sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The ambassador further underscored the shared commitment of Pakistan and the Philippines to peace, sovereignty, the rule of law, and a rules-based international order. He noted that both countries continue to cooperate in addressing common challenges, including climate resilience, disaster preparedness, environmental protection, and human capital development.
Following his address, an interactive session was held during which chamber members engaged the ambassador in discussions on trade, investment, and tourism opportunities in the Philippines. Participants also exchanged views on ways to further strengthen economic, commercial, and tourism linkages between the two countries.
The event concluded with a constructive dialogue between the ambassador and the chamber’s leadership, with both sides expressing a commitment to maintaining close communication and pursuing concrete initiatives to deepen trade, investment, and people-to-people ties.
In her concluding remarks, Mme. Alicia Kalaw-Fernandez thanked the organizers for hosting the reception in celebration of the 128th anniversary of Philippine Independence and expressed hope that the friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Pakistan and the Philippines would continue to flourish in the years ahead.
