By Pervaiz Mughal
ISLAMABAD: The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), organised an event to mark Somalia’s Independence Day.
The proceedings began with the national anthems of Pakistan and Somalia. Speakers included Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman of the Board of Governors at ISSI; Somalia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Sheikhnur Mohamed Hassan; Pakistan’s Ambassador to Djibouti, accredited to Somalia, Aqsa Nawaz; and CAMEA Director Dr Amina Khan. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, president of PAIDAR, attended as chief guest.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood highlighted longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Somalia, based on mutual respect and shared values, and recalled Pakistan’s contributions to United Nations peacekeeping missions in Somalia. He called for expanded cooperation in education, trade, capacity building and maritime security.
Dr Amina Khan said Somalia’s Independence Day reflected the resilience and determination of its people. She said that under Pakistan’s “Engage Africa” policy, CAMEA remained committed to strengthening institutional collaboration and engagement with African countries, including Somalia, while noting ongoing people-to-people links and educational exchanges.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said Pakistan and Somalia share a history of friendly relations grounded in mutual trust, recalling Pakistan’s early support for Somalia and the sacrifice of Pakistani peacekeepers in 1993. He noted cooperation in defence, education, counter-terrorism and capacity building, as well as the presence of Somali students in Pakistan.
