Islamabad, July 01, 2026(Ghufran): The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), organized an event to commemorate Somalia’s Independence Day. The proceedings, began with the national anthems of Pakistan and Somalia. Speakers included Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, BoG, ISSI; Ambassador Sheikhnur Mohamed Hassan, Ambassador of Somalia to Pakistan; Ambassador Aqsa Nawaz, Ambassador of Pakistan to Djibouti, accredited to Somalia, and Dr. Amina Khan Director CAMEA. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President PAIDAR. Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, highlighted the longstanding and friendly relations between Pakistan and Somalia, based on mutual respect, shared values, and close people-to-people ties. He recalled Pakistan’s important contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations in Somalia, reflecting their shared commitment to international peace and security. He also underlined the importance of expanding cooperation in education, trade, capacity building, and maritime security, and expressed the hope that engagement between institutions in the two countries would continue to grow.
In her remarks, Dr. Amina Khan said that Somalia’s Independence Day honoured the resilience and determination of the Somali people and their efforts towards peace and development. She noted that, under Pakistan’s “Engage Africa” policy, CAMEA remained committed to strengthening engagement with Africa through dialogue and institutional collaboration. Highlighting the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Somalia, she underscored Pakistan’s continued support for Somalia and the valuable contribution of the Somali community in Pakistan, including Somali interns at ISSI, in strengthening people-to-people ties. She expressed the hope that Pakistan-Somalia cooperation would continue to grow in the years ahead. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said that Pakistan and Somalia enjoy longstanding and friendly relations based on mutual trust and shared values. He recalled Pakistan’s early support for Somalia and its peacekeeping contributions, including the sacrifice of Pakistani peacekeepers in Somalia in 1993. Highlighting cooperation in defence, education, counter-terrorism, and capacity-building, he noted the presence of around 2,500 Somali students in Pakistan. He welcomed Somalia’s progress towards peace and prosperity and expressed confidence that the longstanding friendship between the two countries would continue to grow.
Ambassador Sheikhnur Mohamed Hassan said that Somalia’s strategic location at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East gives it strong potential as a regional hub for trade and connectivity. He highlighted opportunities in the blue economy, livestock, agriculture, and fisheries, and noted Somalia’s ongoing economic transformation. Expressing appreciation for Pakistan’s longstanding friendship and support, he reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of both countries. Ambassador Aqsa Nawaz underscored Somalia’s importance as a key East African partner under Pakistan’s “Engage Africa” policy and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Somalia’s peace, development, and sovereignty. She noted Pakistan’s consistent support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and highlighted close coordination between the two countries at the United Nations, the OIC, and the G-77. Referring to growing cooperation in trade, education, and people-to-people exchanges, she expressed confidence that Pakistan-Somalia relations would continue to deepen.