The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, in partnership with the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research, commemorated Zimbabwe National Day in Islamabad with national anthems and remarks from senior diplomats and policymakers. The session was moderated by Dr. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood paid tribute to Zimbabwe’s independence on April 18, 1980, and applauded the country’s resilience and struggle for sovereignty. He highlighted the depth of Pakistan–Zimbabwe ties rooted in South–South cooperation and recalled Pakistan’s early support for Zimbabwe’s independence. Ambassador Mahmood outlined ongoing collaboration across defence, education, agriculture, health and capacity building and emphasised opportunities to expand trade, especially in agriculture, textiles and light engineering under Pakistan’s Engage Africa policy. He also reaffirmed ISSI’s role through CAMEA in promoting research, dialogue and stronger institutional linkages with African partners.
Dr. Amina Khan noted that Africa remains a central pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy and stressed that events such as the commemoration of Zimbabwe National Day are part of concerted efforts to build practical partnerships, strengthen people-to-people ties and promote institutional collaboration under the Engage Africa initiative.
The Chief Guest, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, recalled Pakistan’s support during Zimbabwe’s nationalist struggle and noted that Pakistan was among the first countries to recognise Zimbabwe in 1980. He underlined sustained cooperation in defence, trade and cultural exchanges, including early cricket ties in the 1990s, and highlighted the role of the Pakistani diaspora. Senator Mushahid urged amplifying the voices of developing countries and pursuing deeper cooperation as global dynamics shift, invoking Afro-Asian solidarity rooted in the spirit of Bandung.
Ambassador T.M.J Abu-Basutu expressed appreciation for ISSI’s celebration of Zimbabwe’s 46th National Day and described the relationship as longstanding and brotherly. He acknowledged Pakistan’s training support for the Zimbabwe Air Force and ongoing collaboration through institutions such as the National Defence University and the Foreign Service Academy. Ambassador Abu-Basutu identified untapped potential in trade, mining, tourism and infrastructure and called for enhanced government and private sector engagement to foster growth and realise Vision 2030. He welcomed Pakistan’s continued backing for Zimbabwe’s international engagements, including its bid for a non-permanent UN Security Council seat for 2027–2028.
Ambassador Muhammad Amjad Aziz Qazi highlighted cordial bilateral relations and mutual support in multilateral fora. He confirmed an MoU on bilateral cooperation, underscoring defence and education as key pillars, noted the presence of Zimbabwean students in Pakistan and emphasised plans to strengthen university-to-university collaboration. Ambassador Qazi also urged greater business-to-business engagement and closer ties between the chambers of commerce of both countries.
The commemoration reaffirmed the potential to deepen Pakistan–Zimbabwe relations across defence, education, trade and people-to-people contacts, with ISSI CAMEA and PAIDAR emphasising sustained dialogue and practical partnerships to advance shared priorities under the Engage Africa framework.
