Islamabad, July 7, 2026: The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), on Tuesday organised an event to commemorate Rwanda’s Liberation Day, with speakers highlighting Rwanda’s transformation and the growing momentum in Pakistan-Rwanda relations.
The event began with the national anthems of Pakistan and Rwanda and was attended by Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman Board of Governors ISSI; Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Harerimana Fatou; Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Rwanda Muhammad Naeem Khan; Director CAMEA Dr Amina Khan; and Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President PAIDAR, who attended as the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood said Rwanda’s Liberation Day marked the country’s remarkable journey from the tragedy of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi to peace, reconciliation and development. He said Pakistan valued its growing partnership with Rwanda, built on mutual respect and shared aspirations.
He recalled the historical linkages between the two countries, particularly Pakistan’s contribution to UN peacekeeping and post-genocide recovery efforts, and paid tribute to former foreign secretary Shaharyar M. Khan, who served as the UN secretary-general’s special representative for Rwanda during a critical period in the country’s recovery. He said this reflected Pakistan’s enduring commitment to peace, stability and reconciliation in Rwanda.
Mahmood said the establishment of diplomatic missions in Kigali and Islamabad had opened a new chapter in bilateral relations and created fresh opportunities for cooperation in trade, education, technology and people-to-people exchanges.
Dr Amina Khan said Rwanda’s Liberation Day symbolised the country’s remarkable transformation from the tragedy of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi to peace, reconciliation and sustainable development. She said CAMEA remained committed to promoting Pakistan’s engagement with Africa by strengthening institutional linkages and fostering dialogue with African partners.
She noted that the opening of diplomatic missions in Kigali and Islamabad had given new momentum to Pakistan-Rwanda relations and appreciated the efforts of Pakistan’s High Commissioner Muhammad Naeem Khan and Rwanda’s High Commissioner Harerimana Fatou in further strengthening bilateral cooperation. She expressed confidence that the friendship between Pakistan and Rwanda would continue to deepen in the years ahead.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed praised Rwanda’s journey of resilience, reconciliation and socio-economic transformation, describing the country as a model of stability, modernisation and digital progress. He also highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding support for African liberation movements and underscored the growing momentum in Pakistan-Rwanda ties, particularly following recent high-level diplomatic exchanges.
He reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to strengthening bilateral cooperation, enhancing people-to-people ties and promoting Afro-Asian solidarity in an evolving global landscape.
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Harerimana Fatou paid tribute to the soldiers of the Rwanda Patriotic Army who sacrificed their lives during the country’s liberation struggle, saying their courage and selfless sacrifices laid the foundation for Rwanda’s transformation into one of Africa’s cleanest, greenest and most innovative countries.
She highlighted Rwanda’s achievements in artificial intelligence, digital innovation, healthcare and peaceful nuclear energy, as well as its emergence as a leading conference destination. Reaffirming the strong and friendly ties between Pakistan and Rwanda, she stressed the importance of expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation, particularly in climate change and green energy, and appreciated the role of the Pakistani diaspora in Rwanda and Friends of Rwanda in Pakistan in bringing the two countries closer.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Rwanda Muhammad Naeem Khan said Rwanda’s Liberation Day marked a historic milestone and reflected the country’s achievements in peace, development and nation-building. He praised Rwanda’s progress in digitalisation, governance, public service delivery and transparent development, saying its success offered valuable lessons for other countries.
Referring to the growing momentum in Pakistan-Rwanda relations, he said the exchange of high-level visits, including business delegations, had contributed to increased bilateral trade. He also encouraged Pakistani businesses and tourists to explore opportunities in Rwanda and stressed the need for both countries to fully utilise the expanding avenues of cooperation.
