The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research, hosted an event to mark Algeria National Day. Proceedings opened with the national anthems of Pakistan and Algeria and were moderated by Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI, recalled that Algeria National Day marks the start of the 1954 liberation movement and paid tribute to the resilience of the Algerian people. He reiterated Pakistan’s early diplomatic support, noting recognition of Algeria’s provisional government in 1958, and underlined shared commitments to decolonization, self-determination and cooperation in multilateral fora.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President PAIDAR and chief guest, said the commemoration honours Algeria’s historic struggle and reinforces enduring Pakistan-Algeria friendship. He highlighted Pakistan’s advocacy for Algeria at the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement and urged expansion of bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, energy, education, defence and culture.
Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Secretary (Africa) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in his keynote remarks emphasised common values and Algeria’s socio-economic progress anchored by natural resources. He identified concrete areas for collaboration under Pakistan’s Engage Africa policy, including energy, information technology, industry and the blue economy, and reaffirmed mutual solidarity on regional issues.
Ms. Amina Khan welcomed the strengthening of institutional links and drew attention to a recently signed memorandum of understanding between CAMEA and Algeria’s National Global Strategic Institute, describing it as a milestone for academic and strategic collaboration that will support research and people-to-people exchanges.
Ambassador Brahim Romani highlighted Pakistan’s early support for Algerian independence at Bandung and at the UN and underscored shared positions in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Group of 77. He pointed to Algeria’s strategic location, competitive energy costs and access to African and Arab trade zones as enablers for deeper economic engagement.
Ambassador Khalid Hussain Gudaro noted the longstanding partnership based on historical ties and mutual respect, stressing the role of diplomatic mechanisms such as Bilateral Political Consultations and the Joint Ministerial Commission to advance cooperation in diplomacy, trade, defence and cultural exchanges.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood observed that as Pakistan expands its engagement with Africa, Algeria holds special strategic importance as a gateway to the continent and can anchor an expanded strategic economic partnership that builds on shared ideals and past cooperation.
The event drew representatives from the diplomatic corps, academia, think-tanks, the business community, civil society and the media, and served as a platform to reaffirm the potential for a multifaceted Pakistan-Algeria partnership centred on trade, energy, education and defence as well as greater institutional and people-to-people ties.
