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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan on Tuesday invited Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states to invest in Pakistan’s special economic zones under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), amid Islamabad’s attempts to achieve economic stability.

Founded in 1967, ASEAN represents one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. Pakistan became a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1993 and is seeking to upgrade to full dialogue partner status, despite the current moratorium on new partners.

Commerce Minister Khan on Tuesday hosted envoys of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam and Myanmar in Islamabad, where he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expand trade, investment and people-to-people links with Southeast Asia.

He urged Southeast Asian firms to invest in Pakistan’s special economic zones, citing improved macroeconomic stability, single-digit inflation and a conducive business climate, according to the commerce ministry.

“Pakistan welcomes you to export to Pakistan, add value here, and then re-export your products,” Khan told ASEAN envoys, calling for stronger multilateral trade links.

CPEC, part of President Xi Jinping’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, is a $65 billion network of roads, railways, pipelines and ports in Pakistan that aims to build land and maritime trade routes linking Asia with Africa and Europe via the Arabian Sea.

Pakistan, currently bolstered by a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, is making rigorous efforts to establish itself as a pivotal trade and transit by leveraging its strategic geographical position.

“Pakistan seeks not only to increase bilateral trade but also to build comprehensive, long-term partnerships in technology, skills, and infrastructure,” Khan told the envoys.

“Through technology transfer, value addition in agriculture, and a skilled human resource base, we can take our trade from the current level to its true potential.”

The ASEAN envoys welcomed Pakistan’s outreach and said the region sees a “great potential” in expanding commercial cooperation, according to the commerce ministry.

“Meeting marked a renewed push by Pakistan to anchor itself more firmly in the ASEAN economic landscape, with both sides agreeing to chart a roadmap for increasing trade, investment, and institutional cooperation in the months ahead,” it said.

KARACHI: Pakistan on Tuesday reaffirmed commitment to strengthening its longstanding partnership with �������� as the Kingdom marked its 95th National Day, with a special ceremony scheduled to be held in Islamabad.

Pakistan and �������� have close religious, cultural, diplomatic and strategic ties, particularly in trade and defense. The Kingdom is home to over two million Pakistani expatriates, who are the largest source of remittances to the South Asian country.

This year, the Saudi National Day, which is celebrated each year on Sept. 23 to commemorate the proclamation of the Kingdom of �������� in 1932 by King Abdulaziz, follows the signing of a ‘Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement’ between Pakistan and the Kingdom.

Under the pact, aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both. The deal, sealed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to the Kingdom this month, is meant to enhance joint deterrence and deepen decades of military and security cooperation.

“The Pakistani people cannot forget the economic cooperation of ��������, which supported our economy. Millions of Pakistanis consider �������� their second home, and are actively involved in its construction and development.

The services of Pakistani diaspora in �������� are the cause of cordial relations, prosperity and progress between the two brotherly countries,” PM Sharif said in his message on the day.

“Today, on the occasion of ��������’s National Day, I reiterate my resolve on behalf of Pakistan that we are determined to further strengthen this long-lasting partnership. May Allah Almighty always bless the Kingdom of �������� with progress and glory. Long live the Pak-Saudi brotherhood, long live the Kingdom of ��������.”

To mark the Saudi National Day, Pakistan’s capital Islamabad has been decorated with Saudi flags and pictures of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with PM Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, with buildings adorned with green lights symbolizing the color of the Saudi flag.

This is the first time Pakistan will be holding the Saudi National Day ceremony at the spacious Convention Center building in Islamabad on Tuesday evening, which is likely to be attended by top Pakistani government functionaries, officials of the Saudi embassy and other dignitaries.

In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari felicitated King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Mohammed and the people of �������� on their National Day.

“This day is a reminder of how, in a relatively short span of time, �������� has set remarkable examples of progress and stability under its wise and determined leadership,” he said.

The bond between Pakistan and �������� is rooted in trust, devotion and brotherhood, according to the president.

“For the people of Pakistan, our spiritual connection with the Kingdom is deepened by the presence of Islam’s two holiest sites— the Holy Ka’aba and the Masjid-e-Nabawi. This sacred link lends an enduring strength and uniqueness to our friendship,” he said.

“We take pride in the fact that in recent days our ties have reached new milestones. The fresh partnership forged in the fields of defense and security is not only a reflection of our mutual trust but also a vital step toward peace and stability in the region.”

Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi conveyed his warm greetings and goodwill to the Saudi leadership and the people of the Kingdom, acknowledging the deep-rooted historical and spiritual ties shared between the two brotherly nations, Pakistan’s state-run APP news agency reported.

“Under the dynamic leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, �������� has achieved remarkable milestones of progress,” Naqvi said, emphasizing that the Kingdom’s achievements are a source of pride and encouragement for Pakistan,” he was quoted as saying.

On Monday, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah attended a Saudi National Day ceremony in Karachi, where he met Consul General Mohammed N. M. Al-Subaie and congratulated him on the occasion.

“Pakistan-�������� relations are an example in themselves for the world,” Shah was quoted as saying by his office. “The recent [defense] agreement will prove to be a milestone in security of the Muslim world.”