Islamabad, July 7, 2026(Ghufran): The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), organized a commemorative event to mark Rwanda’s Liberation Day, celebrating the country’s remarkable journey of peace, reconciliation, and socio-economic transformation while reaffirming the growing partnership between Pakistan and Rwanda.
The ceremony commenced with the national anthems of Pakistan and Rwanda and was attended by prominent diplomats, policymakers, scholars, and members of the diplomatic community. Speakers included Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, Board of Governors, ISSI; High Commissioner Harerimana Fatou, High Commissioner of Rwanda to Pakistan; High Commissioner Muhammad Naeem Khan, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Rwanda; and Dr. Amina Khan, Director, CAMEA. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President of PAIDAR, attended the event as the Chief Guest.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood said Rwanda’s Liberation Day commemorates the nation’s extraordinary journey from the tragedy of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi to lasting peace, reconciliation, and sustainable development. He noted that Pakistan values its expanding partnership with Rwanda, built on mutual respect and shared aspirations. Recalling Pakistan’s contribution to United Nations peacekeeping and Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery, he paid tribute to former Foreign Secretary Shaharyar M. Khan, who served as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Rwanda during a critical period of its recovery. He emphasized that the establishment of diplomatic missions in Kigali and Islamabad has opened a new chapter in bilateral relations, creating opportunities for enhanced cooperation in trade, education, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
Dr. Amina Khan highlighted that Rwanda’s Liberation Day symbolizes the country’s inspiring transformation through reconciliation and inclusive development. She reaffirmed CAMEA’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s engagement with Africa by promoting dialogue and institutional partnerships. She appreciated the efforts of High Commissioner Muhammad Naeem Khan and High Commissioner Harerimana Fatou in advancing bilateral relations and expressed confidence that Pakistan–Rwanda friendship would continue to flourish.
Chief Guest Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed lauded Rwanda’s resilience and transformation, describing it as a model of stability, modernization, digital innovation, and good governance. He underscored Pakistan’s longstanding support for African liberation movements and welcomed the growing momentum in Pakistan–Rwanda relations, particularly following recent high-level diplomatic engagements. He reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to expanding bilateral cooperation, strengthening people-to-people ties, and promoting Afro-Asian solidarity.
High Commissioner Harerimana Fatou paid tribute to the soldiers of the Rwanda Patriotic Army whose sacrifices paved the way for the country’s peace and progress. She highlighted Rwanda’s achievements in artificial intelligence, digital innovation, healthcare, peaceful nuclear energy, environmental sustainability, and its emergence as a leading global conference destination. Reaffirming the strong ties between Pakistan and Rwanda, she emphasized expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation, particularly in climate action and green energy, while acknowledging the valuable contributions of the Pakistani diaspora in Rwanda and the Friends of Rwanda in Pakistan.
High Commissioner Muhammad Naeem Khan described Rwanda’s Liberation Day as a milestone reflecting the country’s remarkable achievements in peace, nation-building, and development. He praised Rwanda’s progress in digitalization, governance, public service delivery, and transparent development, noting that its experience offers valuable lessons for many countries. Highlighting the growing momentum in Pakistan–Rwanda relations, he referred to recent exchanges of high-level delegations, including business missions, which have contributed to increased bilateral trade. He encouraged Pakistani entrepreneurs and tourists to explore Rwanda’s vast economic and tourism opportunities and stressed the importance of fully utilizing the expanding avenues of cooperation between the two countries.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment by both Pakistani and Rwandan participants to further strengthen bilateral relations, deepen economic and cultural cooperation, and promote lasting friendship between the peoples of the two countries.