ISLAMABAD: The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad on Thursday hosted an event to mark Algeria’s National Day.

The ceremony, which began with the national anthems of Pakistan and Algeria, was moderated by Amina Khan, Director CAMEA.

Held in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistan-Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), the speakers included Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI, Ambassador Brahim Romani of Algeria, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Algeria Khalid Hussain Gudaro and Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman ISSI Board of Governors.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President PAIDAR, was the chief guest, while Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Secretary (Africa) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered the keynote address.

Senator Mushahid Hussain paid tribute to the Algerian people’s courage and resilience, noting that celebrating Algeria’s National Day honoured its historic struggle for freedom. He recalled Pakistan’s unwavering support for Algeria’s independence movement, particularly at the United Nations and within the Non-Aligned Movement. He highlighted Algeria’s influential role in the Muslim world and Africa and stressed the potential to expand Pakistan-Algeria cooperation in trade, energy, education, defence and culture.

Ambassador Sohail Mahmood said Algeria’s National Day marked the start of the country’s heroic fight for independence on November 1, 1954. He recalled Pakistan’s early recognition of Algeria’s provisional government in 1958 and its steadfast support for decolonisation and the right to self-determination. He said Pakistan and Algeria shared deep-rooted ties built on shared values, solidarity and mutual respect, and emphasised Algeria’s importance under Pakistan’s “Engage Africa” policy.

Ambassador Hamid Asghar praised Algeria’s progress and resilience, highlighting opportunities for cooperation in energy, IT, industry and the blue economy. He also lauded Algeria’s principled stance on Palestine.

Amina Khan noted that Algeria’s struggle reflected resilience and unity, and termed the recent MoU between CAMEA and Algeria’s National Global Strategic Institute (INESG) a milestone in academic and strategic collaboration.

Ambassador Brahim Romani appreciated Pakistan’s early and consistent support for Algeria’s independence and called for deeper political, economic and cultural cooperation.

Ambassadors Gudaro and Khalid Mahmood also stressed the need to strengthen people-to-people ties and institutional collaboration. The event was attended by diplomats, academics, business leaders, civil society representatives and the media.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2025