Islamabad (GNP): The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, in collaboration with the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research, organized a special event to commemorate Somalia’s Independence Day.
The ceremony brought together diplomats, policymakers, researchers, and scholars to celebrate the longstanding friendship and growing Pakistan-Somalia relations.
The event began with the national anthems of Pakistan and Somalia and was attended by Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, Board of Governors ISSI; Ambassador Sheikhnur Mohamed Hassan, Ambassador of Somalia to Pakistan; Ambassador Aqsa Nawaz, Ambassador of Pakistan to Djibouti, accredited to Somalia; Dr. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA, and Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President PAIDAR, who attended as the Chief Guest.
The speakers highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation and expanding engagement in multiple sectors for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood said that Pakistan Somalia Relations have remained strong for decades because of mutual respect, shared values, and close people to people connections. He recalled Pakistan’s valuable contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations in Somalia, describing it as a reflection of Pakistan’s commitment to international peace and security.
He also emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in education, trade, maritime security, and capacity building while encouraging stronger institutional partnerships between both countries. He expressed confidence that continued collaboration would further strengthen bilateral understanding and create new opportunities for cooperation in the future.
Dr. Amina Khan stated that Somalia’s Independence Day represents the resilience, determination, and continued efforts of the Somali people to achieve peace, stability, and national development. She said that under Pakistan’s Engage Africa policy, the Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa remains committed to strengthening engagement with African countries through dialogue, research, and institutional cooperation.
Referring to Pakistan Somalia Relations, she highlighted Pakistan’s continued support for Somalia and appreciated the positive contribution of the Somali community living and studying in Pakistan, including Somali interns at ISSI. She expressed hope that educational exchanges, academic cooperation, and people to people engagement would continue to deepen in the coming years.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said that Pakistan Somalia Relations are built on longstanding friendship, mutual trust, and common values. He recalled Pakistan’s early diplomatic support for Somalia and paid tribute to Pakistani peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives during the United Nations mission in Somalia in nineteen ninety three.
He also highlighted cooperation in defence, education, counter terrorism, and professional capacity building. Referring to the presence of around two thousand five hundred Somali students studying in Pakistan, he said that educational cooperation has become one of the strongest pillars of bilateral relations. He welcomed Somalia’s progress towards peace and prosperity and expressed optimism about the future of bilateral cooperation.
Ambassador Sheikhnur Mohamed Hassan said that Somalia’s strategic location at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East provides significant opportunities for regional trade and connectivity. He highlighted the country’s economic potential in the blue economy, livestock, agriculture, and fisheries while noting that Somalia continues to move towards economic transformation and sustainable development.
Appreciating Pakistan’s longstanding friendship and continued support, he reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan Somalia Relations through closer cooperation in trade, investment, education, and diplomatic engagement for the shared prosperity of both nations.
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Ambassador Aqsa Nawaz described Somalia as an important East African partner under Pakistan’s Engage Africa policy. She reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Somalia’s peace, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and development while highlighting the close coordination between the two countries at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Group of Seventy Seven.
She also referred to the growing cooperation in trade, education, and cultural exchanges, expressing confidence that Pakistan Somalia Relations would continue to expand through stronger diplomatic engagement and increased collaboration across different sectors.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed commitment from both Pakistani and Somali representatives to further strengthen Pakistan Somalia Relations through sustained dialogue, mutual respect, and broader institutional cooperation. The speakers agreed that expanding educational partnerships, promoting trade, encouraging cultural exchanges, and increasing diplomatic engagement would contribute to stronger bilateral ties and regional stability.
They also emphasized that continued cooperation between Pakistan and Somalia would create new opportunities for development, strengthen friendship between the two countries, and contribute positively to peace, prosperity, and international cooperation.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
