HYDERABAD, Feb 19: Higher education exchange programmes should be started and linkages be made between universities of Pakistan and Asean countries.

This was proposed by eminent scholars from Pakistan and Asean countries in their presentations at the concluding session of a two-day international seminar on "Pakistan-Asean Relations: Constraints and Opportunities", organized by the Far East and South East Asia Study Centre, University of Sindh, on Thursday.

They also recommended the holding of seminars and conferences on regular basis to suggest ways and means for development in different fields. This would benefit both the people of Pakistan and Asean countries, they added.

Temu Alam, acting consul-general of Indonesia in Karachi, who was the chief guest on the occasion, expressed the hope that efforts of scholars would bring Pakistan and Asean members closer.

He said being a member of Asean, Indonesia had always protected the interests of Pakistan. He said there was no serious opposition to Pakistan becoming a full dialogue member.

Dr Nitipoom Navaratna, who is the director, Institute of Asian and African Studies, University of Thailand, and adviser to the Government Economy Commissioner Policy Makers in Senate, in his paper said the seminar provided a forum for business people from Pakistan and Thailand to come together, to canvass opportunities for increased trade and investment and enter into profitable deals with Asean countries.

He said Pakistan was an important partner of Thailand in the region. He maintained that the Thai government had also focused on developing bilateral trade with Pakistan.

He said his country's priorities included market access for a number of agricultural items and automotive products. It would be an important opportunity for Thailand businessmen to participate in training in Pakistan through the Pakistan-Thailand Youth Ambassadors Programme which was started this year, he said.

He said over 30,000 Pakistanis were settled in Thailand. Sindh University vice-chancellor Mazharul Haq Siddiqui, who presided over the session, said academic linkages and exchange of views would go a long way in creating conducive atmosphere for the people of Pakistan and Asean countries.

Federal Minister Mehmood Ali was the chief guest and Prof Pervez Iqbal Cheema presided over the first session on the second day. The minister highlighted steps taken by the government against terrorism.

Dr Aqeela Khwaja of the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, said Pakistan could not gain entry in the Asean Region Forum because of the Indian opposition. However, Pakistan still had to prove its worth so the forum could not ignore it and it should strive hard to make its entry possible.

The obstacles needed to be removed as Pakistan's lobbying was poor as compared to India, she further said. Dr Abul Kalam of Bangladesh observed that since 1980s, Asean remained in a course of expansion in terms of core membership.