Pakistan keen on better ties with Brunei
Monday, June 4, 2007
How did you find your stay in Brunei?
It is my first time in Brunei Darussalam, and it is surprising. Throughout my stay here, I felt at home. We have quite a few things in common between Pakistan and Brunei the religion, the common values that are important in my country. Most people I have met here have good feelings for Pakistan. They spoke of their experiences in Pakistan with a lot of affection.
Today I had the opportunity to be driven around the capital, and I saw the Royal Regalia and the Water Village. People here are very friendly and warm. Even the water taxi driver was very friendly. The strongest feeling you get is how close you feel to the people here.
Any observations on Bridex 2007?
Personally, I did not expect Bridex to do as well as it did, considering that it was a first attempt by Brunei to hold such an event. But it turned out to be great it was well organised and well attended.
If there was to be another Bridex, would Pakistan participate again?
Definitely. We would be participating on a much bigger scale.
Pakistan produces high quality defence products, ranging from ammunitions to unmanned aerial vehicles. Recently we co-produced a jet aircraft with China. During this year's national parade for Pakistan, two of the jets flew over the parade in a demonstration. We also produce main battle tanks. It's called the Al-Khalid, and it is the most efficient, the most powerful and cost-effective tank there is.
What about its shortcomings?
The scale could have been bigger, but I was told that the time to organise the event was limited. Considering that, Bridex was a job well done.
Does Pakistan have its own international defence exhibition? What is the difference between the one in Pakistan and Bridex?
Yes, Pakistan's international defence exhibition is called Ideas or International Defence Exhibition and Seminar. It's done on a much bigger scale.
What's your take on defence relations between Brunei and Pakistan?
We have excellent defence relations with Brunei. They come in the form of the training of military officers, mutual information sharing and military exercises. In the future, the areas of cooperation will expand, not only in the defence sector. Education, medical education, IT, and Islamic banking are amongst the areas. We want to broaden knowledge about each other and learn from each other.
In Pakistan, we have a National Islamic University. We also have a big national market for halal food products. In a country with 160 million people, we have plenty of experience in the production of halal food products, and this is something that we can share with Brunei.
Pakistan is also a huge importer of oil and gas. It will be building its first LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminal to facilitate the import of LNG.
The government of Pakistan has also allowed RBA (Royal Brunei Airlines) to fly directly to Pakistan. Pakistan's international airports include the ones in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. This will definitely facilitate trade and tourism. RBA is in the process of acquiring necessary aircraft to start the flights to Pakistan.
With Brunei's ongoing project to establish a higher institution for Islamic studies, can we see any possibility of cooperation in the education sector between the two countries?
Yes, we have the experience (The International Islamic University in Islamabad was established in 1980), which we would be glad to share with Brunei.
The Brunei Times
It is my first time in Brunei Darussalam, and it is surprising. Throughout my stay here, I felt at home. We have quite a few things in common between Pakistan and Brunei the religion, the common values that are important in my country. Most people I have met here have good feelings for Pakistan. They spoke of their experiences in Pakistan with a lot of affection.
Today I had the opportunity to be driven around the capital, and I saw the Royal Regalia and the Water Village. People here are very friendly and warm. Even the water taxi driver was very friendly. The strongest feeling you get is how close you feel to the people here.
Any observations on Bridex 2007?
Personally, I did not expect Bridex to do as well as it did, considering that it was a first attempt by Brunei to hold such an event. But it turned out to be great it was well organised and well attended.
If there was to be another Bridex, would Pakistan participate again?
Definitely. We would be participating on a much bigger scale.
Pakistan produces high quality defence products, ranging from ammunitions to unmanned aerial vehicles. Recently we co-produced a jet aircraft with China. During this year's national parade for Pakistan, two of the jets flew over the parade in a demonstration. We also produce main battle tanks. It's called the Al-Khalid, and it is the most efficient, the most powerful and cost-effective tank there is.
What about its shortcomings?
The scale could have been bigger, but I was told that the time to organise the event was limited. Considering that, Bridex was a job well done.
Does Pakistan have its own international defence exhibition? What is the difference between the one in Pakistan and Bridex?
Yes, Pakistan's international defence exhibition is called Ideas or International Defence Exhibition and Seminar. It's done on a much bigger scale.
What's your take on defence relations between Brunei and Pakistan?
We have excellent defence relations with Brunei. They come in the form of the training of military officers, mutual information sharing and military exercises. In the future, the areas of cooperation will expand, not only in the defence sector. Education, medical education, IT, and Islamic banking are amongst the areas. We want to broaden knowledge about each other and learn from each other.
In Pakistan, we have a National Islamic University. We also have a big national market for halal food products. In a country with 160 million people, we have plenty of experience in the production of halal food products, and this is something that we can share with Brunei.
Pakistan is also a huge importer of oil and gas. It will be building its first LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminal to facilitate the import of LNG.
The government of Pakistan has also allowed RBA (Royal Brunei Airlines) to fly directly to Pakistan. Pakistan's international airports include the ones in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. This will definitely facilitate trade and tourism. RBA is in the process of acquiring necessary aircraft to start the flights to Pakistan.
With Brunei's ongoing project to establish a higher institution for Islamic studies, can we see any possibility of cooperation in the education sector between the two countries?
Yes, we have the experience (The International Islamic University in Islamabad was established in 1980), which we would be glad to share with Brunei.
The Brunei Times
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