Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Manila on Wednesday to participate in the 33rd Asean Regional Forum (ARF) ministerial meeting, the Foreign Office (FO) said.

“A busy programme of engagements lies ahead, including participation in the ARF plenary meeting and bilateral meetings with counterparts on the sidelines,” the FO said in a post on the social media platform X.

It said that upon his arrival, Dar was received by Elmer G Cato, the assistant secretary at the Philippines’ foreign affairs department, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Philippines Asima Rabbani and other officials.

In a statement issued on Tuesday night, the FO said that the high-level meeting will bring together foreign ministers and delegates from 27 ARF member states, adding that the Asean secretary general will also attend the meeting.

It said that Dar will participate in discussions on “political and security issues affecting the Asia-Pacific region, with a special focus on promoting peace, stability, and mutual cooperation through sustained dialogue and diplomacy”.

He will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterpart from the Philippines and several other participating dignitaries on the sidelines of the meeting, it said.

“Established in 1994, the ARF has remained a pivotal platform for multilateral consultations on regional security issues. Since becoming a member in 2004, Pakistan has maintained an active role within the forum, consistently offering constructive contributions to its regional programmes and objectives,” the FO statement concluded.

Dar meets with Russian, Bangladesh FMs

On the sidelines of the Asean meeting, Dar met with Bangladesh FM Khalilur Rehman, who is also the president-elect of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, the FO said.

The ministers “reviewed the positive trajectory of Pakistan–Bangladesh relations and the renewed impetus by the deputy prime minister’s visit to Bangladesh last year”, the statement said, adding they reaffirmed their “shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties”.

The FO further said that the two dignitaries welcomed growing engagement between their countries, including “enhanced people-to-people contacts and improved connectivity following the commencement of direct flights this year”.

They agreed to sustain the “positive trajectory”, the statement added. Dar and Rehman also exchanged views on “regional and international issues of mutual interest”, the FO said.

In January, direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh commenced after a 14-year hiatus as an inaugural flight from Dhaka landed at Karachi Airport.

Ahead of the Asean moot, Dar met with Russian FM Sergey Lavrov in Manila.

The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations between their countries and reaffirmed their commitment to “further strengthening cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity, and other key areas, as well as enhancing coordination at multilateral forums”, the FO said.

“They underscored the importance of sustained high-level engagement in advancing the Pakistan-Russia partnership,” it added.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on key regional and international developments and agreed to remain in close contact.

Dar visits ADB headquarters in Manila

On the sidelines of his visit to Manila, Dar also visited the headquarters of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), where he was received by the Director General for the Central and West Asia Department, Leah Gutierrez, the FO said.

Dar signed the ADB Visitors’ Book upon his arrival. The FO said “the interaction provided an opportunity to exchange views on the ADB’s evolving development agenda, its partnership with Pakistan, and the role of Pakistani professionals at the institution”.

According to the FO, the discussions focused on the bank’s development agenda and “the important role being played by Pakistani professionals in advancing the Bank’s work across a broad range of sectors and regions.”

Dar appreciated their contributions to the ADB’s mission and acknowledged the distinction they bring to Pakistan through their leadership and expertise, it added.

He also congratulated Nashita Mohsin on assuming her responsibilities as Pakistan’s executive director to the ADB and wished her success in advancing Pakistan’s engagement with the bank.