The Rwanda Liberation Day celebration in Islamabad brought together diplomats, government officials, business leaders, academics, media representatives and members of the Rwandan community for an evening that reflected both national pride and growing bilateral goodwill.
Hosted by the Rwanda High Commission in Pakistan at the Serena Hotel, the reception marked Kwibohora 32, the 32nd Liberation Day of the Republic of Rwanda. Guests gathered to honour Rwanda’s journey of resilience, unity and transformation, while also recognizing the deepening relationship between Rwanda and Pakistan.
In her welcome remarks, H.E. Harerimana Fatou, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, described Kwibohora as a defining moment in Rwanda’s history and recalled the country’s progress since liberation. She paid tribute to the brave Rwandans who stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi and helped liberate the country, acknowledging the sacrifices of the Rwanda Patriotic Army and the soldiers who lost their lives during that struggle.
She also highlighted the role of the Rwanda Patriotic Front under the leadership of H.E. Paul Kagame, saying Rwanda’s path over the past three decades reflects hard work, determination and visionary leadership. According to her, the country has emerged as a symbol of innovation, resilience and development, and today stands as a gateway to Africa.
Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Law and Justice, attended the event as chief guest and used the occasion to reaffirm Pakistan’s friendship with Rwanda. He noted that cooperation between the two countries continues to expand in defence, trade, health, education, agriculture, tourism and parliamentary diplomacy. He also pointed to close collaboration at the United Nations and other international platforms on peacekeeping, climate action and sustainable development.
Speaking about the importance of Rwanda Liberation Day, he said the occasion marks Rwanda’s liberation on 4 July 1994 and the beginning of a remarkable national journey built on reconciliation, unity and socio-economic progress. He expressed confidence that Pakistan-Rwanda relations would continue to grow for the benefit of both countries.
The evening included a ceremonial cake-cutting to celebrate Rwanda’s 32nd Liberation Day, adding a warm and festive note to the occasion. Guests also enjoyed vibrant Rwandan music, which brought a cultural touch to the reception and created an atmosphere of celebration throughout the night.
A dedicated Rwandan coffee stall drew particular interest from the guests, especially younger attendees, offering a taste of Rwanda’s renowned specialty coffee. The display highlighted one of the country’s best-known exports and underscored its growing reputation for high-quality agricultural products.
The celebration concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening ties between Rwanda and Pakistan through greater cooperation in trade, investment, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
