The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and PAIDAR, organised an event to commemorate Kenya’s Jamhuri Day, opening with the national anthems of Pakistan, Kenya and the East African Community.
The proceedings were moderated by Dr. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA, and featured addresses from Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI; Lt. Gen (Rtd.) Peter Mbogo Njiru, High Commissioner of Kenya to Pakistan; Mr. Ibrar Hussain Khan, High Commissioner of Kenya to Pakistan; and Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BOG ISSI. The Chief Guest was Mr. Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President PAIDAR, and the Keynote Speaker was Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Secretary (Africa), Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mushahid Hussain Sayed underlined deep historical ties between Pakistan and Kenya rooted in shared colonial history and Commonwealth membership, and he recalled Pakistan’s support for Kenya’s independence. He highlighted nearly one billion dollars in bilateral trade, Pakistan’s import of Kenyan tea, strong people-to-people links, defence and civil service cooperation, and a vibrant diaspora as pillars of enduring friendship and Afro-Asian solidarity.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood paid tribute to the leadership of Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan in strengthening Pakistan–Africa relations, noting that Jamhuri Day marks Kenya’s independence on 12 December 1963 and the country’s transformation into a republic. He described Kenya as a leading African state with a diversified economy and stressed the cordial Pakistan–Kenya relationship, growing trade and defence cooperation, and cooperation in multilateral forums. In a concrete step to reinforce Pakistan’s Engage Africa policy, he announced the establishment of an Africa Corner at ISSI in 2026.
Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan emphasised trade and connectivity and pointed to complementarities in tea and rice. He expressed interest in agricultural projects, joint industrial ventures, youth skills development, and collaboration in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, military cooperation, tourism and the strategic Mombasa Port. He also recalled Kenya’s role in hosting the Pakistan–Africa Trade Development Conference in 2020 with participation from over 200 Pakistani businessmen.
Dr. Amina Khan remarked that Kenya’s Jamhuri Day reflects the nation’s historic struggle for independence and its ongoing commitment to unity, development and regional cooperation, and reaffirmed CAMEA’s dedication to strengthening Pakistan–Kenya relations through sustained institutional engagement and dialogue under the Engage Africa initiative.
High Commissioner Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Peter M. Njiru spoke of Kenya’s progress from colonial rule to a stable democracy and an economically dynamic state with leadership in regional peace, climate resilience and technology, noting expanding cooperation with Pakistan in trade, maritime security, education and people-to-people exchanges.
High Commissioner Ibrar Hussain highlighted Kenya’s democratic stability, temperate climate, low energy costs with nearly 90 percent renewable energy, and an inclusive society that hosts some 30,000 Pakistanis. He pointed to USD 19 million in trade from recent exhibitions and described Africa as a key area for future growth.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood offered the vote of thanks, stressing Kenya’s special strategic importance as Pakistan expands engagement with Africa and urging the development of a stronger strategic economic partnership that builds on existing cooperation and shared ideals.
