ISSI hosts event on launch of ‘Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research’ (PAIDAR)

Islamabad - 18 April 2024 (Adnan Hameed) : The Centre for Afghanistan Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) held a Seminar for the Launch of Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR). The thematic focus of the seminar was on ‘Reviving the Bandung Spirit of Afro-Asian Solidarity: Pakistan-Africa Relations’. President PAIDAR, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, delivered a keynote address. The event was moderated by Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA. The speakers at the seminar included Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI; Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President PAIDAR;H.E. Mohammed Karmoune, Dean of the African Envoys Corps and Ambassador of Morocco;H.E. Mary Nyambura Kamau, High Commissioner of Kenya to Pakistan;H.E. Jemal Beker Abdulla, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Pakistan;Ambassador Aftab Hassan, High Commissioner of Pakistan to South Africa;Ambassador Atif Sharif Mian, Pakistan's Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and African Union; Ambassador Arshad Jan Pathan, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Mauratius; Mr. Zafar Bakhtawri, Secretary General United Business Group (UBG);Dr. Bashir Bahar, Assistant Professor Department of Translation and Interpretation, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI); Dr. Ismail Adaramola, Assistant Professor Department of Politics & International Relations, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI); Mr. Shehryar Akbar Khan, Additional Secretary Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA); Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman ISSI. Ms. Amina Khan in her remarks said that Pakistan's commitment to engaging with Africa is underscored by Pakistan’s comprehensive "Engage Africa" policy. Recognizing Africa’s potential as the ‘Continent of the Future’, and in line with the "Engage Africa" policy, CAMEA was established in 2020, to fortify relations with Africa, as well as to assist the government in chalking out a roadmap for future cooperation with the African continent. She said that CAMEA looked forward to working with PAIDAR to further Pakistan’s ties with Africa. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, in his welcome remarks, appreciated Senator Mushahid Husain Sayed’s dynamic and inspiring efforts throughout his professional life and his latest initiative of establishing PAIDAR, which aims to sharpen Pakistan’s focus on Africa through promotion of academic research and development partnerships. He said it was fitting that this launch ceremony recalled the “Bandung Spirit” – dating back to 1955 when 29 countries from Asia and Africa met in Bandung, Indonesia, from 18-24 April. He recalled the contribution of the Bandung Conference to the international community’s subsequent efforts for global peace as well as cooperation among the developing countries. He particularly highlighted Pakistan’s whole-hearted support for the liberation struggles of African nations and Pakistan’s contribution to Africa’s peace and security through consistent participation in UN Peacekeeping operations since 1960. He added that Pakistan’s overall engagement with Africa has been growing in recent years. In 2019, Pakistan expanded the scope of collaboration within the framework of its “Engage Africa” policy aimed at enlarging Pakistan’s diplomatic footprint in Africa and deepening economic partnership with the Continent. Ambassador Sohail concluded by saying that for Pakistan, deeper engagement with Africa remains a strategic imperative. Forging a strong and effective partnership for peace, progress and prosperity is an indispensable goal, which should be advanced through a clear vision, consistent policy, and a long-term strategy. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said that the launch of PAIDAR coincides with the 69th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, emphasizing Africa's pivotal role in the South with 54 African Union members. He underscored Pakistan's longstanding ties with Africa, dating back to pre-independence when Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah initiated relations with Egypt in 1946. Senator Mushahid outlined PAIDAR's objectives, aiming to reinvigorate Pakistan-Africa relations through people-to-people and business-to-business exchanges. He said PAIDAR seeks to prioritize mutual interests, promoting cooperation in education, environment, trade, energy, and sustainable development goals. H.E. Mohammed Karmoune said that the relations between Pakistan and Africa are based on the principles of mutual respect, cooperation, and solidarity. Pakistan and Africa need to work together to launch joint ventures in different economic sectors. He said that development could be achieved mainly through science and technology, agriculture, industrial cooperation and the promotion of trade and investments. H.E. Jemal Beker said that the ‘Look Africa’ and ‘Engage Africa’ policies of the Government of Pakistan are the steps in the right direction, which have led to the establishment