The following is a message from Pakistani Ambassador Shaukat Ali Mukadam on the occasion of Pakistan Day, which fell on March 23. ― Ed.

Every year Pakistanis celebrate Pakistan Day to commemorate the auspicious day of March 23, 1940, when we resolved to be an independent country from colonial rule and ultimately after a valiant struggle, we achieved independence on Aug. 14, 1947.

The year 2013 is of special significance as Korea and Pakistan celebrate 45 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations since 1968 at the consul general level and 30 years at the ambassadorial level. The year 2012 was also very important as it was the first time for the president and the prime minister of Pakistan to visit Korea in the same year. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani visited in March 2012 to attend the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit and subsequently held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik and leaders of Korean business houses.

President Asif Ali Zardari visited Korea from Dec. 3-5 at the invitation of then-President Lee Myung-bak. In addition to bilateral meetings, he met a large number of Korean conglomerates. These two visits have provided further impetus to our bilateral relations taking them on a high trajectory as nine agreements/MOUs were signed during the visit of the President.

We have the strength of 39 MOUs and agreements, which is a testimony to the solid foundation of our relationship. Our relations which were established in 1968 have progressed exponentially in the intervening years in all fields. Our bilateral trade, which was about $94 million in the 1980s, surpassed $1.5 billion in 2011, Pakistan’s exports being $737 million and Korean exports to Pakistan being $820 million. Our exports rose by 85 percent in 2011 compared to 2010. In 2012 our volume of trade reached $1.62 billion, Korean exports being $847 million and Pakistan’s exports being $776 million.

Most of the prominent Korean conglomerates, such as Lotte Group, Samsung C&T, Hyundai Engineering, Daewoo E&C, POSCO, CK Solar, K-Water, KORAIL, Sambu Construction, Doosan, Deokjae, Ssangyong, Korea Electric Power Corporation, Wisdom, STX, Deokjae Construction, Sambu Engineering, KECC and Korea Construction Institute of Plant (KCIP), are engaged or are interested in participating in tenders of mega infrastructure projects, such as roads, chemical plants, tunnels, hydroelectricity power projects, thermal power projects and refineries. Some of the most significant investments are the $500 million investment by Lotte Group in a chemical plant which was acquired from ICI. The plant produces pure terephthalic acid, which is used in the textile industry. The group also acquired a food and beverage company, KOLSON Foods. Sambu has built the 8.6-kilometer Lawari tunnel and completed the 84-megawatt New Bong Hydro Power project in Azad Kashmir.

A consortium of K-water, Sambu and Daewoo E&C has started work on the 150 MW Patrind run of the river Hydel Water Project. Korean companies have expressed their interest in participating in numerous other hydroelectric power projects in Pakistan. Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Co. have completed a 175 MW combined cycle power plant. Ssangyong E&C has completed work on reinforcing old ports and construction of docks and subsidiary facilities at Karachi port. Currently, it is working on the reconstruction of berths in Karachi. Deokjae Construction Ltd. has completed the Mirpurkhas-Hyderabad 67-km dual carriageway public-private partnership project by the Sindh government. POSCO steel giant has invested in Tawariqi Steel in Karachi, a $260-million project in which a sizeable amount has been invested by POSCO.

Cultural links between Pakistan and Korea are founded in a cultural agreement signed in 2006 and renewed during President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit in December. The agreements provide for the promotion of cultural exchanges, photographic exhibitions, and exchanges of arts and artifacts. The establishment of Heritage University of Taxila for the promotion of cultural relations between Korea and Pakistan will further cement our cultural bonds and revive the ancient glory and the academic excellence of our heritage.

In 2011, the Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Qasim Ali Shah visited Seoul, heading a 30-member delegation from the Sindh Board of Investment, who had fruitful meetings with Korean counterparts. Pakistan also participated in the Yeosu Expo 2012 from May-August in Yeosu and the Korea International Medical & Hospital Equipment Show in March 2011 and 2012. We shall also participate in 2013.

The Bilateral Policy Consultation is an important forum to foster these links. Talks are held regularly between the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan and the vice foreign minister of Korea. The last talks were held in Seoul on Nov. 18, 2011.

There are 10,341 Pakistani citizens in Korea including workers, businessmen, professionals and students. A number of Pakistanis have been here for the last 20 years and established their own businesses in South Korea. There are around 4,700 and approximately 600 students. The Pakistani community is very active and engaged in promoting Korea-Pakistan relations. They participate wholeheartedly in the economic development of Korea.