Islamabad, September 10, 2026: The Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad celebrated Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year, and Hibir Ken (Unity in Diversity Day) with national zeal and fervour under the theme “Diversity: Ethiopia’s Adornment.”
The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, parliamentarians, government officials, business community, media, civil society and the Ethiopian community in Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Masood Malik was the chief guest, while Prime Minister’s Advisor and National Coordinator on Tourism Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan and Additional Secretary (Africa) Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan attended as guests of honour.
Ambassador of Ethiopia to Pakistan Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba welcomed the guests and conveyed Ethiopian New Year greetings.
In his remarks, the ambassador highlighted the significance of Enkutatash, which is associated with the blooming of the Adey Abeba flower. He said Ethiopia has its own Ge’ez calendar and alphabet and is the only African country that was never colonised.
He said the New Year’s message of hope, resilience and a bright future reflected the growing Ethiopia-Pakistan relationship, which has been strengthened through Pakistan’s Look Africa and Engage Africa policies as well as cooperation in economic and environmental sectors.
The ambassador thanked Dr. Musadik Malik for his support and formally invited Pakistan to support Ethiopia’s hosting of COP32 in Addis Ababa in 2027, stressing the need for stronger climate cooperation among countries of the Global South.
He also paid tribute to Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan on his retirement and appreciated his contribution to strengthening Pakistan-Africa and Ethiopia-Pakistan relations.
Dr. Musadik Malik extended New Year greetings to the people of Ethiopia and appreciated the country’s economic and green transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
Recalling his participation in Ethiopian New Year celebrations during his stay in Chicago, the minister described the Ethiopian people as warm and welcoming and its culture as vibrant.
Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan also appreciated the growing bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Pakistan and reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening cooperation between the two countries in various sectors.
