Mushahid Hussain Sayed Highlights Pakistan’s Commitment to…

Mushahid Hussain Sayed addressed an event celebrating Tunisia’s Independence Day, reaffirming Pakistan’s dedication to fostering relations with Africa, particularly Tunisia. He highlighted the historical context of their partnership, advocated for deeper economic engagements, and discussed the potential of the ‘Engage Africa’ initiative. Various officials acknowledged the significance of these ties and stressed the need for expanded cooperation in trade and cultural exchanges.

In an event commemorating Tunisia’s Independence Day, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President of the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Global South, particularly Africa. He stated that the future belongs to these nations and highlighted the historical significance of Pakistan-Tunisia relations within the framework of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Mushahid noted Pakistan’s support for North African liberation efforts, despite limited resources, reaffirming its role in international diplomacy.

He advocated for deeper economic and strategic engagement with Africa, citing the potential of initiatives like the “Engage Africa” policy. He praised Tunisia’s resilience and leadership, calling for enhanced trade, education, and cultural exchanges, alongside stronger people-to-people and business partnerships. Dorsaf Maaroufi, Charge d’Affaires of Tunisia, underscored the importance of Tunisia’s Independence Day and acknowledged the robust diplomatic relations with Pakistan, highlighting the need for increased economic cooperation given Tunisia’s strategic geographic position.

Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated Pakistan’s enduring connections with Tunisia, noting their shared cultural and historical ties. He referred to Pakistan’s past support during Tunisia’s independence and highlighted the strategic advantages of the “Engage Africa” policy to foster growth in various sectors, including trade and agriculture. He encouraged expanding the existing trade volume of $13.58 million and exploring opportunities in IT, pharmaceuticals, and tourism.

Amina Khan stressed the importance of expanding trade and investment under the “Engage Africa” policy and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its ties with Tunisia and Africa. Javed Ahmed Umrani, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tunisia, highlighted the longstanding diplomatic relationships and noted growing cooperation across key sectors, specifically mentioning a bilateral trade figure for 2023-2024.

Suhail Mahmood, Director General of ISSI, recognized Tunisia’s proactive involvement in regional and global issues, particularly their principled stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Khalid Mahmood, Chairperson of the Board of Governors at ISSI, also shared remarks at the event, reinforcing the importance of the dialogues on enhancing collaboration between Pakistan and Tunisia.

The event underscored a renewed commitment from Pakistan to deepen its ties with Africa, particularly focusing on Tunisia, through strategic economic partnerships and cultural exchanges. Various officials expressed a unified call for greater engagement under the ‘Engage Africa’ policy, emphasizing shared histories and mutual growth opportunities. The dialogue illustrates Pakistan’s efforts to bolster collaboration with the Global South as a critical future vector in international relations.

Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk