Timore Leste-Pakistan Relations
Pakistan and Timor Leste established diplomatic relations soon after the independence of Timor Leste in 2002. Both countries enjoy cordial relationship the independence of the latest.
Former Pakistani Diplomat Mr. Jamshed Marker (late) who successfully conducted the Referendum in Timor Leste as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General is highly revered amongst Timor-Leste leadership. Similarly, members of Pakistani defence forces played important roles as part of UN peace keeping forces in Timor Leste. The Government of Timor-Leste awarded many of the military officers in recent years, which were part of peacekeeping force in Timor Leste. There is tremendous goodwill for the Pakistani contingent members for their professional commitment, diligence and extraordinary initiative to maintain peace and stability in the country, due to their peacekeeping operations in Timor-Leste.
The Former Pakistani Ambassadors accredited to Timor Leste had attended the inauguration ceremony of newly elected President of Timor Leste H.E Mr. Francisco Guterres held in Dili, Timor Leste on 19 - 20 May 2017 and met officials of Timor Leste’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Earlier on 26 April 2017, Ambassador also called on the visiting Vice Minister of Health of Timor Leste in Jakarta seeking support for Pakistan’s candidature for World Health Organization (WHO).
Since there is no resident mission of Pakistan in Dili, government of Pakistan has proposed the name of Mr. Arif Abdullah Sagran for the post of Honorary Consul of Pakistan in Timor Leste. The case is under consideration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Timor Leste. Timor Leste, however, has an Honorary Consul based in Karachi.
The trade relations between the two countries are gaining momentum. Pakistan’s exports to Timor Leste in 2018 were recorded as 11.6 Million US $, an increase of 485% since the previous years. The main products are cereals, sugar and confectionery, edible vegetables and pharmaceutical products. The total imports of Timor Leste in the same year was little over half a billion dollars.
There is a small community of around 100 Pakistanis in Timor-Leste. Most of them are small businessmen engaged in tailoring and few of them have private jobs in different sectors. After liberalization in visa restrictions by the Indonesian government, Pakistanis living in Timor-Leste are now able to travel with ease through Indonesia while traveling to/ from Pakistan.
The Pakistani Community also established Association of Pakistanis in Timor Leste (APTL) in May 2017. The Ambassador during his visit to Timor Leste also held meeting with office bearers of APTL. The organization holds receptions at the national days of Pakistan and invites the diplomatic community as well. The association also helps resolving the issues of the community.