Dar arrives in Manila to attend Asean Regional Forum ministerial meeting

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has arrived in Manila to take part in the 33rd Asean Regional Forum (ARF) ministerial meeting, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office.

In a post on X, the Foreign Office said Dar’s schedule includes the ARF plenary session as well as bilateral meetings with counterparts on the sidelines of the gathering. The office said he was received on arrival by Elmer G Cato, assistant secretary at the Philippines’ foreign affairs department, along with Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Philippines Asima Rabbani and other officials.

In a statement issued on Tuesday night, the Foreign Office said the meeting will bring together foreign ministers and delegates from 27 ARF member states. The Asean secretary general is also expected to attend.

The Foreign Office said Dar will join discussions on political and security issues affecting the Asia-Pacific region, with the focus on promoting peace, stability and mutual cooperation through continued dialogue and diplomacy. He is also due to hold bilateral meetings with the Philippine foreign minister and several other dignitaries attending the forum.

Established in 1994, the ARF is one of the main multilateral platforms for consultation on regional security matters, the Foreign Office said. It added that Pakistan, which joined the forum in 2004, has remained an active participant and has contributed to its regional programmes and objectives.

This report is based on a monitored public feed and is attributed to Dawn Home.

Source: Dawn Home - https://www.dawn.com/news/2017480/dar-arrives-in-manila-to-attend-asean-regional-forum-ministerial-meeting