ISLAMABAD ( WNAM MONITORING ): The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), organized an event to commemorate Algeria’s ‘National Day’. The proceedings, which began with the national anthems of Pakistan and Algeria, were moderated by Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA. Speakers included Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI; Mr. Brahim Romani, Ambassador of Algeria to Pakistan; Mr. Khalid Hussain Gudaro, Ambassador of Pakistan to Algeria; and Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BOG ISSI. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Mr. Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President PAIDAR, and the Keynote Speaker was Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Secretary (Africa), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan (MOFA).
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, while speaking on the occasion, said that celebrating Algeria’s National Day honors the historic struggle and resilience of the Algerian people. He noted that this commemoration underscores the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Algeria. He recalled Pakistan’s full support for Algeria during its liberation struggle and particularly championing their case at the United Nations (UN) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). He highlighted Algeria’s principled leadership in Africa, the Middle East, and the Muslim world. He emphasized the significant potential for expanding Pakistan-Algeria cooperation in trade, investment, energy, education, defence, and culture. He expressed his commitment to further strengthen this multifaceted partnership for shared growth, peace, and prosperity.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, in his remarks, said that Algeria’s National Day marks the beginning of Algeria’s heroic struggle for independence on 1 November 1954. He paid tribute to the resilience and unity of the Algerian people, whose sacrifices led to their triumph over colonial rule, and noted that the Algerian Revolution also asserted national identity and human dignity. He recalled that Pakistan fully supported Algeria’s liberation struggle and was among the first to recognize the ‘Provisional Government of the Republic of Algeria’ in exile in September 1958, reflecting its foreign policy’s cardinal principles of commitment to decolonization, solidarity with Muslim causes, and support for the right of self-determination.
He further said that Pakistan and Algeria share a deep bond of friendship, grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and common aspirations. Both countries have consistently cooperated in international fora such as the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement. Advocating for peace, development, and self-determination. Within Pakistan’s “Engage Africa” policy, Algeria holds a special place as a leading nation in Africa and the Arab world. He emphasized the potential for enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, energy, education, defence, culture, and think-tanks collaboration and reaffirmed ISSI’s commitment to strengthening the multifaceted Pakistan-Algeria partnership.
Ambassador Hamid Asghar, in his remarks, highlighted the deep-rooted shared values between Pakistan and Algeria, paying tribute to the courage of the Algerian people during their struggle against French colonial rule. He noted Algeria’s socio-economic progress, supported by its rich natural resources, and emphasized the potential for enhanced Pakistan-Algeria cooperation in the energy, IT, industry, and blue economy sectors. He also commended Algeria’s principled stance on Palestine, reaffirming the shared commitment of both countries to justice and solidarity, and expressed confidence in the continued expansion of the Pakistan-Algeria multifaceted partnership.
Ms. Amina Khan highlighted that Algeria’s National Day reflects the resilience and unity of its people in their struggle for freedom. She noted that Pakistan and Algeria share a strong bond of solidarity and mutual respect and highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation in trade, education, energy, and research under Pakistan’s “Engage Africa” initiative. She also referred to the MoU signed between CAMEA and Algeria’s National Global Strategic Institute (INESG) as a milestone in strengthening academic and strategic collaboration.
Ambassador Brahim Romani highlighted the deep friendship between Pakistan and Algeria, recalling Pakistan’s early support for Algeria’s independence at the Bandung Conference and the United Nations. He emphasized their shared values of justice, solidarity, and mutual respect, reflected in similar positions in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Group of 77 (G77). He underscored the strong and growing Pakistan-Algeria ties across political, economic, and cultural spheres, and encouraged further cooperation, highlighting Algeria’s strategic location, low energy costs, and access to African and Arab free trade zones.
Ambassador Khalid Hussain Gudaro said that Pakistan and Algeria share a longstanding partnership rooted in mutual respect, historical ties, and shared values. He highlighted the potential to deepen cooperation in diplomacy, trade, defence, and cultural exchanges, and stressed both countries’ commitment to strengthening people-to-people contacts, expanding economic collaboration, and enhancing institutional mechanisms such as the Bilateral Political Consultations and Joint Ministerial Commission. He also emphasised promoting cooperation across key sectors to ensure a prosperous, stable, and peaceful future for both nations.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood noted that as Pakistan expands its engagement with Africa, Algeria holds a special strategic importance as the gateway to the continent. He added that Pakistan should further develop its strategic economic partnership with Algeria, building on their long history of cooperation and shared ideals.
The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, academia, think-tanks, business community, civil society, and the media.
