Daily Times

It does not suit Pakistan to stay away from finding new friends around the world. I genuinely believe that this century belongs to Asia, more specifically to the countries part of ASEAN and SAARC.

The condition in which SAARC is operating does not suit Pakistan. Afghanistan and Bangladesh are not willing to work with Pakistan. In spite of sacrificing a lot in the war on terror, an estimated financial loss of $100 billion and non-financial loss of around 50,000 lives, Pakistan has only got a hostile response from the SAARC members.

On the other side, Iran eschewed from the damage through astute foreign policy. It is also the neighbour of Afghanistan, but it managed things quite well and did not engage in any game that would destroy it economically, culturally or militarily.

Setting aside the past, it is time to find out partners from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It is home to approximately 550 million people whose living standard is rising with the passage of time. The region has remained stable despite receiving the impacts of historical recessions, and the overall economy is on the rise.

Pakistan needs to have a strong presence in all ten members of ASEAN. It is the gateway to the Middle East, and with the construction of rail-road networks under the auspices of CPEC, there will be ample opportunities to expand business relations

The current visit of Indonesian President Joko Widodo can be termed as a good omen. The government should focus on increasing bilateral trade with Indonesia. One might not have heard of any top leader from Pakistan visiting Indonesia in the recent past, but now the substantial and meaningful tours to Indonesia should begin.

The signing of the preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Indonesia will ensure uncomplicated access to the Indonesian market. Currently, the trade volume between Pakistan and Indonesia stands at around $2 billion. There is a need to increase this volume, and this would only happen at the time when serious efforts would be put to make space in the Indonesian economy.

Moreover, in the same way, Indonesian investors and business entities should be given chances to explore the Pakistani market. This relation should not be void of keeping into consideration the trade deficit. The previous PTA was signed in 2012 between the two countries, which was titled in favour of Indonesia.

The other countries from which Pakistan can learn a lot and can boost its financial relations include Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand. It should make the ASEAN realise its importance. Pakistan is the gateway to the Middle East, and with the construction of rail-road networks under the auspices of CPEC, there will be ample opportunities to expand business relations. It needs to have a strong presence in all ten members of the organisation. Unfortunately, no political party in the country extended warm relations with these states.

India has a trade worth more than $12 billion with ASEAN countries, while Pakistan’s trade stands at about $2 billion and that too is highly in favour of member states. The trade volume of Pakistan with these states should have been $5 billion at least by now. Nonetheless, in the future, this goal can be achieved if political leadership is committed and cares more about Pakistan and its economy then their own.

Although there is not any sort of possibility that Pakistan would become the member of ASEAN, there are vast chances of accelerating trade with its members. They are emerging markets and want regional partners to join them in a bid to achieve economic prosperity. Lastly, the future of Pakistan can be secured only at the time when there will be strengthened relations with more and more states. The government of PML-N and the upcoming one after the general elections of 2018 should deem relations with ASEAN fundamental. It would be strategically, economically, and even socially in favour of Pakistan.

The writer is a professional writer and political commentator. He can be contacted @junaidalimalik1 or junaidalimalik3@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, February 5^th 2018.