Mushahid Hussain Sayed emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to Africa and the Global South during an event marking Tunisia’s Independence Day. He advocated for enhanced economic and strategic ties, recalling Pakistan’s historical support for North African liberation movements. Key officials from both sides acknowledged the importance of collaboration across sectors such as trade and education, aiming to deepen bilateral relations further.
Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President of the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), has affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Africa, declaring that the future belongs to the Global South. His remarks were delivered during an event commemorating Tunisia’s Independence Day, organized by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) in collaboration with PAIDAR, with Amina Khan serving as the moderator.
Highlighting the significance of Pakistan-Tunisia relations within the framework of broader foreign policy, Mr. Mushahid recalled Pakistan’s support for North African liberation movements in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. He emphasized Pakistan’s enduring commitment to international diplomacy despite its limited resources and advocated for stronger economic and strategic engagements with Africa through initiatives such as the “Engage Africa” policy.
Dorsaf Maaroufi, Tunisia’s Charge d’Affaires, referred to Tunisia’s Independence Day as a critical milestone in its journey toward sovereignty and democracy. She expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s unwavering support during Tunisia’s independence struggle and acknowledged the potential for enhanced economic cooperation, stressing the importance of Tunisia’s strategic location and recent business collaborations.
Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Secretary (Africa) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong ties with Tunisia, founded on shared history, faith, and cultural connections. He highlighted ongoing efforts under the “Engage Africa” policy to expand trade relations, particularly in areas such as IT, pharmaceuticals, and tourism, advocating for a considerable increase from the current trade volume of $13.58 million.
Amina Khan emphasized Pakistan’s historic commitment to supporting Tunisia’s sovereignty and stressed the need for increased trade and investment in alignment with the “Engage Africa” policy. Similarly, Javed Ahmed Umrani, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tunisia, noted the longstanding bilateral relations that commenced in 1958 and looked forward to collaborative ventures spanning telecommunication, health, education, and agriculture.
Suhail Mahmood, Director General of ISSI, acknowledged Tunisia’s proactive role in regional and global matters, citing its positions on contentious issues like the Jammu and Kashmir dispute during its tenure on the Security Council. The event concluded with an affirmation of the mutual benefits of deepened cooperation between Pakistan and Tunisia.
In summary, the event underscored the strong historical ties between Pakistan and Tunisia, with prominent officials advocating for deeper economic and strategic engagements. Both nations are poised to enhance their collaboration in various sectors, leveraging initiatives like the “Engage Africa” policy to bolster trade and investment. Through these efforts, both countries aim to realize their potential within the Global South while strengthening their bilateral relations.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
