Tazeen Akhtar with Camera Raja Ghulam Farid
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Africa is the continent of today and Pakistan is serious to truely implement “Engage Africa Policy” to fill the gaps, explore the avenues of close cooperation and build meaningful economic partnerships with this promising continent at bilateral as well as multilateral levels.
This consensus was built during the significant event ” Business Africa Forum – Shaping Tomorrow Together” hosted jointly by Amb. Hamid Ali Khan, Additional Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Usman Shaukat, President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Hotel Movenpick on 02 Oct 2025.
As Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed said the enovys from A to Z were present. They included Ambassadors of Algeria,Libya, Rwanda, Sudan,Somalia, DHMs of Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
They were Ambassador of Algeria H.E Dr. Brahim Romani, Ambassador of Ethiopia H.E Jemal Beker, Ambassador of Libya H.E Moamer Z. O. Abdalmotlab,High Commissioner of Rwanda H.E Harerimana Fatou, Ambassador of Sudan, H.E Salih Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Siddig, Acting High Commissioner of South Africa H.E Rudolph Pierre Jordaan,Ambassador of Somalia, H.E. Sheikhnur Mohamed Hassan, Ambassador of Zimbabwe H.E. Titus Mehliswa Johnathan Abu Basutu, DHM Egypt Ali Ibrahim, DHM Kenya Amb. Daniel Mumina Nganda, Charge d’ Affaires, Nigeria High Commission Mr. Yushau Mohammed.
Morocco and Tunisia had no representation in the forum. Ambassador of Morocco , H.E Mohamed Karmoun is on leave in his country and no one was there in the forum to represent the country. Tunisian acting ambassador Ms Dorsaf Maaroufi Argaoui had to bear great loss as her mother passed away couple of weeks ago. She is in her naitive town on leave. Tunisia’s honory consul Peshawar Mr. Ammad Rasheed was present but he did not expressed his views from the stage on bilateral cooperation.
The Ambassadors and Deputy Heads of Missions screned their presentations highlighting the sectors in which the sides can move forward. They pointed out the gaps that should be filled for fast growth in economic partnerships.
The envoys highlighted current levels of cooperation with Pakistan, identified challenges, and proposed measures to increase bilateral trade and investment.
RCCI President Usman Shaukat, in his welcome remarks, highlighted RCCI’s role in strengthening bilateral trade linkages and providing a platform for dialogue. Chairman of the Forum, Zahid Latif Khan, provided an overview of the event’s objectives and significance and role of RCCI in taking leads to explore new avenues and markets including Africa.
Coordinator to Prime Minister of Commerce and Industries Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan was the chief guest at the occasion. He assured business community of full support to access Africa through Trade Investment Officers (commercial attaches) in 13 Pakistani missions in the Continent of Today. He said trade is more the trust than exchange of good only. He said, Africa is on rise and Pakistan is with Africa.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to boosting trade, connectivity, and foreign investment to achieve sustainable economic recovery. He said , the recommendations in this forum will be brought into the notice of the Prime Minister.
Pakistan is holding 7 big events, festivals, exhibitions in different countries of Africa in next few months that will play major role in promotion of cooperation and enhancing the level of trade between Pakistan and respective countries of Africa. The events will be held in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal and other countries.
He reiterated that Africa—with a population of 1.5 billion and fast-growing economies—offers immense opportunities for collaboration in textiles, agriculture, IT, renewable energy, leather goods, food processing, and machinery. He said these are the practical areas for cooperation.
He said, Pakistan, with its industrial strength and skilled workforce, stands ready to be a reliable partner in Africa’s development journey. He appreciated RCCI’s efforts in promoting new markets for Pakistani businesses.
Additional Secretary MOFA , Hamid Asghar Khan and Chairman Pakistan-Africa Institute for Development & Research (PAIDAR) Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, also addressed the participants who included members of RCCI, envoys and diplomats from all African missions in Islamabad, business representatives from different organizations, media persons and civil society.
Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, lauded RCCI for bridging gaps between Pakistan and Africa, stating that Pakistan is repositioning itself geo-politically and geo-economically by leveraging its “blue economy” and diverse export portfolio including rice, cotton, marble, and textiles.
Coordinator to Prime Minister on Tourism , Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan also graced the event with his presence for a while. In his address, he shed light on the tourims potential present in between Pakistan and Africa but needs to be tapped.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed shared his vision on enhancing connectivity with Africa and effectively implementing Pakistan’s Engage Africa Policy. He said , Pakistan has the best relations with 5 most important capitals of the world at the highest levels. They are Washington, Beijing, Moscow, Riyadh and Tehran. Pakistan is enjoying respect and have influence there. This is the best time Pakistan and Africa move forward for mutual benefit.
Mirza Ikhtiar Baig MNA, delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of participants and reaffirming RCCI’s commitment to expanding Pakistan’s trade horizons.
In his address remain more focused on Morocco as his younger brother Mirza Ishteaq Baig is honorary consul of Morocco in Karachi. He said, we have Parliamentary Friendship Groups in the National Assembly. One grout consists of 20 members but Morocco group has 41 members. He said, I took special permission for extra members. He did not mention how far this special arrangement has been helpful in raising the trade level between the two countries.
Khalid Farooq Qazi, Senior Vice President RCCI, Zahid Lateef, Head of Foreign Affairs Committee of RCCI, Fahad Barlas Vice President, Ms Urooj T. Khan Vice President Foreign Affairs Committee RCCI also contributed to organziation of this mega event.
It has been learnt through reliable sources that Prime Minister of Pakistan is expected in Africa on more than one country visit soon to pave the way for strong trade links with Africa.
A special commemoration was also held to honor Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Dr. Jemal Beker Abdula, for his services in strengthening Pak-Ethiopia relations.
The Forum was further graced by dignitaries including Sardar Yasir Ilyas, PM’s Coordinator on Tourism,Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig MNA, H.E. Mr. Khazar Farhadov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan and H.E Albert P. Khorev, Ambassador of Russian Federation.
H.E Jemal Beker opened the Embassy of his country 3 years ago and built the basis of the bilateral bonds and cooperation. He said in his speech that Pakistan is second home for him. He mentioned the relations from the history when the Muslims migrated to Ethiopia the then Habsha where King Najashi was ruling with justice. That was the reason Prophet Hazrat Mohammad PBUH directed the Muslims to move to Habsha when the infidles made it hard for them to live in their homeland.
He invited Pakistanis to visit Ethiopia and see the development and infrastructure there. He said Ethiopia welcomes Pakistani business community to the land of opportunities. The participants appreciated the services rendered by him for bilateral ties. Direct flight between Addis Ababa and Karachi by Ethiopian Airline was especially noted as direct connectivity with Ethipia as well as Africa.
(NOTE ; Media group Pakistan in the World is publishing full texts of the speeches and presentations of all envoys ! For that , the concerned can share the drafts in word files on email tazeen303@gmail.com or Whatsap 03215127896 – Editor)
