Pakistan, Singapore discuss possible resumption of direct flights: Ishaq Dar

Pakistan and Singapore have discussed the possible resumption of direct flights to facilitate business, travel and people-to-people contacts, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday.

Speaking at a joint press stakeout with Singaporean Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan in Islamabad, Dar said the two sides had explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, including closer economic ties and collaboration in technology, education and research.

Dar said the two countries had agreed to encourage greater cultural, academic and youth exchanges, adding that Pakistani professionals working in Singapore served as a valuable bridge between the two nations.

He said Pakistan had also reopened its Trade and Investment Office at its High Commission in Singapore to promote business-to-business ties and facilitate closer engagement between the business communities of both countries.

The two sides agreed to encourage exchanges of business delegations and strengthen links between their respective chambers of commerce, he added.

Dar said the discussions also covered cooperation in digital technologies, artificial intelligence, education, research and innovation, as well as human resource development, agriculture and climate-related matters.

The foreign ministers agreed to hold regular bilateral political consultations and promote high-level exchanges to strengthen cooperation between their governments and institutions.

Dar described Balakrishnan’s visit as significant, noting that it was the first visit by a Singaporean foreign minister to Pakistan in more than two decades. The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Dar announced that Pakistan and Singapore had exchanged a memorandum of understanding on disaster management cooperation between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

He said the two countries also discussed Pakistan’s engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Pakistan is an oldest sectoral dialogue partner. Dar conveyed Pakistan’s best wishes to Singapore ahead of its assumption of the ASEAN chairmanship in 2027 and expressed readiness to work with it on the organisation’s priorities.

Regional and international issues

Dar said the two sides exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the impact of regional tensions on maritime trade. He stressed the importance of secure sea routes and uninterrupted supply chains for trade and economic stability.

He said Pakistan and Singapore had reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter in addressing global and regional challenges.

On Palestine, Dar expressed concern over the expansion of Israeli settlements and efforts to alter the status of the West Bank and Al-Quds Al-Sharif. He called for unhindered humanitarian assistance to Gaza and reiterated Pakistan’s support for an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian state based on pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Dar also briefed his Singaporean counterpart on Pakistan’s position regarding the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, emphasising the need for a just and lasting settlement in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

He said Pakistan remained committed to strengthening its longstanding friendship with Singapore and expanding cooperation for the benefit of the two countries.

In his remarks, the foreign minister of Singapore emphasised to strengthen bilateral cooperation in business, trade, investment, disaster management, culture, and people to people exchanges, science and technology.

He particularly commended the historic and tremendous mediatory role played by Pakistan in defusing tension and facilitating dialogue to resolve the crisis in the Middle East and Gulf.

On the occasion, the two sides exchanged documents regarding Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in Disaster Management between National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan and Singapore Civil Defence Force.

PM Shehbaz, Singapore FM discuss trade, investment, digital economy cooperation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Singaporean FM Balakrishnan on Friday discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, technology and other sectors as the two countries marked 60 years of diplomatic relations.

Balakrishnan called on the prime minister in Islamabad, where the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening longstanding friendly ties, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Shehbaz expressed admiration for Singapore’s economic transformation and achievements in innovation and development, and underscored the importance Pakistan attached to its partnership with the Southeast Asian country at bilateral and multilateral levels, including through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The two sides discussed enhancing bilateral trade and investment and expanding cooperation in the digital economy, financial technology, infrastructure development, logistics, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the services sector.

They also explored new avenues for mutually beneficial economic cooperation and ways to strengthen people-to-people contacts.

The prime minister and the Singaporean foreign minister exchanged views on regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement at bilateral and multilateral forums.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a meeting with Balakrishnan, during which they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and skills development.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged a memorandum of understanding on disaster management cooperation between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in disaster preparedness and response and build resilience against natural disasters.

Balakrishnan arrived in Islamabad on Friday at Dar’s invitation. His visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Singapore and comes ahead of Singapore assuming the ASEAN chairmanship in 2027.