By Trisha Jean V. De Leon
DESPITE the 3,541-mile distance and three-hour time zone difference that separate them, the Philippines and Pakistan have maintained a tightly knit bond that has withstood the test of time.
Four years after World War II ended, a Philippine consulate opened in Karachi, Pakistan, in 1949, after which an air-service agreement was signed. These events marked the beginning of the bilateral relations between the two countries, which remain undeterred up to this day.
Nonetheless, the ties of the Philippines and Pakistan may seem to be unremarkable at best, but it actually is steadily and continuously growing. In fact, agreements and a number of memoranda of understanding have been finalized to boost trade and promote cultural exchanges.
The truth, however, is that Filipinos know little about the rich heritage of Pakistan, despite the similarities in their respective histories. To get to know this Islamic country even more, let’s have a quick rundown of some notable facts and historical events in Pakistan that mirror our own:
Geography, population, climate
LOCATED near the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the Middle East, Pakistan, which literally means “Land of the Pure,” serves as a bridge between the southern and southwestern parts of Asia. It shares borders with China, Afghanistan, Iran and India, making it a geographical battlefield. The Wakhan Corridor, on the other hand, separates Pakistan from its neighboring country, Tajikistan.
In terms of population, Pakistan ranks sixth in the world. It also bears the second-largest Muslim population worldwide after Indonesia.
When visiting Pakistan, expect to be greeted by its hot and dry weather. Some areas, however, are either temperate or harsh, depending on the topography.
Ancient civilization
300,000 years ago, stone-age hunters lived on the Potohar plateau and Soan Valley in Northern Punjab. A more advanced culture that flourished from 4,000 to 2,000 BCE was soon discovered after some excavations on the Balochistan plateau. Concurrently, an early bronze-age culture emerged at Kot Diji in the Khairpur district.
Later on, these primitive civilizations reached their peak in the Indus valley cities, with Harappa being the most prominent, which already had mastered town planning and pictographic writing.
Peace, however, ceased after Alexander the Great led an invasion in the Indian subcontinent of modern-day Pakistan. Eventually, Mauryans from India gained control over the northern Punjab area, followed by Bactrian Greeks from Afghanistan and central Asian tribes.
British rule, birth
SIMILAR to the Philippines, Pakistan was shackled by colonial masters from the West for many years. At the dawn of the 17th Century, European traders arrived on the subcontinent, and through the East India Company, the British became a powerful force. By 1857, the foreign invaders took direct control over the subcontinent.
In protest of Britain’s oppressive rule, Mohandas Gandhi organized his first resistance campaigns at the beginning of the 20th century. By 1930s, the British government attempted to make some concessions to the Indian nationalists in fear of losing India to the Axis power. Nationalist leaders, on the other hand, dismissed the offers and proceeded with their “Quit India” rally to speed up drive the British out of the region.
Apart from the battle for independence, tension also brewed between Hindus and Muslims. After the war, the Indian National Congress accepted the creation of Muslim-dominated Pakistan. The Indian Independence Bill then took effect in 1947, which ended 200 years of British occupation.
Martial law
THE similarities between the Philippines and Pakistan do not end with their history of colonialism. For instance, both countries have been under martial law. The only difference is that martial rule had been declared in Pakistan thrice.
Nonetheless, both countries now have a thriving economy, which the world has seen flourishing since their independence.
Pakistan today
INTERESTINGLY, Pakistan now actively partakes in export trade. For instance, the Islamic country supplies substantial amount of textiles, rice, pharmaceutical products, sports goods, fruits, surgical instruments and leather hides to the Philippines.
Pakistan’s Tourism Development Corporation also reported that in 2017, almost 1.75 million tourists visited the said country. The revenue from tourism also contributed $19.4 billion to Pakistan’s economy, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
With its vibrant economy backed by a strong desire to reach its maximum potential, it shouldn’t be a surprise if we’ll get to hear more of Pakistan’s continued rise to progress, as well as a more robust diplomatic relationship with the Philippines, in the near future.