By Zahid Karani
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah attended the 128th Independence Day celebrations of the Philippines as chief guest on Sunday and reaffirmed Sindh’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation across a range of sectors, including trade, agriculture, information technology and social welfare.
Addressing a gathering at a local hotel in Karachi, the chief minister congratulated the government and people of the Philippines on behalf of the people of Sindh. He described the country’s Independence Day as a reflection of courage, resilience and a lasting commitment to freedom, sovereignty and national progress.
The event was attended by the Philippines’ ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Emmanuel R. Fernandez, Madam Alicia Kalaw-Fernandez, Honorary Consul General of the Philippines in Karachi Dr Imran Yousuf, diplomats, business leaders, members of the Filipino community and other distinguished guests.
Murad Ali Shah said Pakistan and the Philippines had enjoyed warm and friendly relations built on mutual respect, shared values and cooperation in several fields. He noted that bilateral trade between the two countries had reached around $370m annually, with Pakistan’s exports accounting for nearly $350m. He said the figures reflected the strength of the economic relationship and highlighted the potential for further growth.
The chief minister pointed to Sindh’s role in supporting bilateral trade, particularly through agricultural exports. He said the Philippines remained an important market for Pakistani rice, especially IRRI-6 and IRRI-9 varieties cultivated in Larkana and other parts of Sindh. He welcomed greater cooperation in agriculture and said the continued demand for Sindh’s produce demonstrated confidence in the province’s farming sector.
