Islamabad, June 17, 2026: Members of the Pakistan–South Africa Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through enhanced parliamentary diplomacy, economic cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.
A briefing session of the Parliamentary Friendship Group, followed by a meeting with Rudolph Pierre Jordaan, Acting High Commissioner of South Africa to Pakistan, was held at Parliament House under the convenorship of Dr. Nafisa Shah, Member of the National Assembly.
The meeting was attended by several lawmakers, including Dr. Muhammad Farooq Sattar, Muhammad Riaz Fatyana, Mir Shabbir Ali Bijarani, Mir Amer Ali Khan Magsi, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, Asad Alam Niazi, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Dr. Syeda Shahida Rehmani, Mussarat Rafique Mahesar, and Samina Khalid Ghurki.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Nafisa Shah highlighted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in further deepening Pakistan-South Africa relations. She emphasized the role of Parliamentary Friendship Groups in promoting mutual understanding, cultural exchanges, people-to-people contacts, and cooperation under Pakistan’s “Look Africa” Policy and the broader framework of South-South Cooperation.
Participants received a detailed briefing from Malik Muhammad Farooq, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to South Africa, who provided an overview of South Africa’s political, economic, and social landscape. Representatives of the Pakistani community in South Africa also shared their perspectives, highlighting community-related issues and security concerns while stressing the need for continued institutional engagement and coordination between the authorities of both countries.
Recalling the historic visits of Nelson Mandela to Pakistan, Dr. Nafisa Shah paid tribute to the late South African leader’s enduring legacy of peace, justice, equality, and reconciliation. She noted that Mandela’s vision continues to inspire stronger bonds of friendship and mutual respect between the two nations.
During the subsequent meeting, Acting High Commissioner Rudolph Pierre Jordaan reaffirmed the longstanding and cordial relations between Pakistan and South Africa. He underscored the importance of broadening cooperation beyond traditional areas through increased people-to-people contacts, regular high-level exchanges, and effective follow-up mechanisms to translate goodwill into practical outcomes.
Jordaan also highlighted South Africa’s commitment to strengthening partnerships across the Global South and noted that cricket continues to serve as an important bridge between the peoples of the two countries, fostering goodwill through regular sporting exchanges.
The participants exchanged views on a wide range of issues, including bilateral relations, trade and investment, tourism, education, parliamentary cooperation, and cultural exchanges. Members stressed the need for stronger economic engagement, enhanced institutional linkages, and more frequent parliamentary interactions to unlock the full potential of the relationship.
Concluding the meeting, Dr. Nafisa Shah emphasized the importance of establishing a counterpart Parliamentary Friendship Group in the South African Parliament to further institutionalize parliamentary cooperation and promote closer people-to-people engagement. She also called for sustained high-level exchanges between the two countries.
The participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining regular engagement through parliamentary and diplomatic channels and working together to further strengthen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and South Africa.
