DPM Dar, Balakrishnan discuss possible resumption of direct Pakistan-Singapore flights

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed with Sin­ga­porean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Friday the possible resumption of direct flights between Pakistan and Singapore “to facilitate business travel and close contact between our peoples”.

Dar shared this while addressing a press conference alongside Balakrishnan, who is on an official visit to Pakistan.

He began by saying that Pakistan and Singapore enjoyed longstanding and friendly ties focused on mutual respect and good will, and Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognise Singapore following its independence in 1965.

Talks on enhancing trade, investment cooperation

Earlier, the two leader held talks and discussed ways enhance cooperation in trade and investment, the Foreign Office (FO) said.

Balakrishnan arrived in Islamabad earlier in the day. He called on DPM Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The FO said in a statement that the two leaders reviewed the “longstanding and friendly relations” between Pakistan and Singapore as the two countries marked 60 years of diplomatic relations.

They underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and skills development, while promoting business-to-business exchanges and people-to-people contacts, the statement added.

Dar and Balakrishnan also discussed cooperation at multilateral fora and Pakistan’s enhanced engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, particularly in the context of Singapore’s forthcoming chairmanship of the body in 2027.

Moreover, exchanging views on regional and global developments, Dar emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes and advancing lasting peace and stability, the statement said.

Later, their opening remarks from delegation-level talks between the two sides were televised, with Dar saying that the depth of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Singapore was not reflected in economic ties.

He said his focus had been on “economic diplomacy” after joining the Foreign Office, adding: “If we work together, […] I am sure we can reach a new level of economic relations.”

The DPM further suggested the Board of Investment in Pakistan could work with its counterpart in Singapore.

He said the two countries had “great cooperation” on multilateral issues and Singapore’s interest in regional issues was “greatly appreciated”.

“You remain in touch, and we keep sharing developments with you.”

He added that the two had also discussed Palestine and Kashmir issues, among other matters, in a restricted meeting.

“So I think this friendship and great cooperation will continue from our side, and I am sure you will always reciprocate, rather go a mile ahead of us,” the DPM said.

For his part, the Singaporean foreign minister recalled that Pakistan was one of the “early countries to recognise Singapore post independence”. He pointed out that Singapore was 61 and was commemorating 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Pakistan.

MoU exchanged

After the meeting, the DPM Dar and Balakrishnan also exchanged a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in disaster management between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority and the Singapore Civil Defence Force in Islamabad.

“The MoU reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Singapore to strengthening cooperation in disaster preparedness and response and building resilience against natural disasters,” the FO statement on the document’s exchange said.