Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Former Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani , Special Assitent to Prime Minister Pakistan on Foreign Affairs, Amb. Tariq Fatimi and Additional Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad Amb. Hamid Asghar Khan included
Tazeen Akhtar | Islamabad
The Embassy of Algeria to Pakistan remained busy the whole day in welcoming Pakistani guests from different spheres of life including government, parliament, ministry of foreign affairs, diplomatic enclave, media and other sectors who visited the embassy to express their heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of former President H.E LIAMINE ZEROUAL who embraced his last on 29 March 2026.
Former Algerian President Liamine Zeroual passed away on March 29, 2026, at the age of 84 following a long illness. He served as president from 1994 to 1999, leading the country through a critical period of the “Black Decade” civil conflict and initiating the “Civil Concord” law.
The Embassy of Algeria in Islamabad opened condolence book to fecilitate Pakistani friends who share the joys and sorrows of Algerian people. Among them Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Former Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani visited the Embassy of Algeria on 02 April and recorded his condolences.
On arrival at the Embassy , Dr Brahim Romani, Ambassador of Algeria warmly recieved the Chairman Senate and the delegation accompanying him including Ms Misbah Khar, Ambassador at Inter Parliamentary Speakers Conference.
Mr. Gilani paid homage to the departed soul in his words noted on the condolences book. He hailed the selfless contributions of the late former President for his people and state. He said, President Liamine was a great statesman who led his country through the crisis and put it on the path of democracy and development.
Chairman Senate said, late former President is a role model for the leaders of the whole world. He stressed the new generations can learn how to tackle the crisis and challenges from the life of former President of Algeria.
Special Assitent to Prime Minister Pakistan on Foreign Affairs, Amb. Tariq Fatimi and Additional Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Hamid Asghar Khan also met with Ambassador Dr. Brahim Romani at the Embassy and condoled the death of former president.
Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Africa, Arab world and other countries from around the globe in large number resitered their condolences at the embassy and expressed their grief with Ambassador of Algeria.
They included Dean of Diplomatic Corp, Ambassador Turkmenistan, Ambassadors of Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Rwanda, Tunisia,Romania, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Oman, Palestine, Indonesia and many other countries.
About Former President :
Liamine Zeroual (1941-2026) was a prominent Algerian military and political figure who served as President of the Republic (1994-1999). He joined the National Liberation Army (ALN) in 1957 and held high-ranking leadership positions in the People’s National Army (ANP) after independence.
He led Algeria during the “Black Decade” in the fight against terrorism, established the National Concord Law, and was known as a “statesman” who laid the foundations for the peaceful transfer of power.
Military Career:
• War of Independence: Joined the National Liberation Army at the age of 16 (1957).
• Training: Received military training in the Soviet Union and the French War College (1974).
• Responsibilities: Commander of the Cherchell Military Academy and commanded several military regions (3rd, 5th, and 6th).
• Appointed Commander of the Land Forces with the rank of General Major.
• He resigned from the army in 1989.
Political Career:
• He was appointed ambassador to Romania (1990-1991), resigning after a year.
• He was appointed Minister of National Defense in July 1993.
• He assumed the presidency on January 31, 1994, and was elected president on November 16, 1995, remaining in office until April 27, 1999.
His Most Notable Achievements and Positions:
• Civil Concord: He was known as a stabilization force through his “Civil Concord Law”, aimed at ending the “Black Decade” (a period of intense violence and conflict). He played a key role in combating terrorism and ensuring security, peace, and stability.
• Transfer of Power: He handed over power to the late President Abdelaziz Bouteflika after resigning and calling early multi-candidatures of presidential elections, stating, “I left my post to teach Algerians the meaning of the peaceful transfer of power.”
• Birth: Born on July 3, 1941, in Batna.
• Death: He passed away on March 29, 2026, at the age of 84.
