ISLAMABAD: Former senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Wednesday said Pakistan and Somalia enjoyed longstanding and friendly relations based on mutual trust and shared values.

He recalled Pakistan’s early support for Somalia and its peacekeeping contributions, including the sacrifice of Pakistani peacekeepers in Somalia in 1993.

Highlighting cooperation in defence, education, counter-terrorism, and capacity-building, he noted the presence of around 2,500 Somali students in Pakistan. He welcomed Somalia’s progress towards peace and prosperity and expressed confidence that the longstanding friendship between the two countries would continue to grow.

He expressed these views while speaking at a commemorative event on Somalia’s Independence Day. The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), had organised the event.

Somalian Ambassador Sheikhnur Mohamed Hassan said that Somalia’s strategic location at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East gives it strong potential as a regional hub for trade and connectivity. He highlighted opportunities in the blue economy, livestock, agriculture, and fisheries, and noted Somalia’s ongoing economic transformation.

Expressing appreciation for Pakistan’s longstanding friendship and support, he reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Pakistani Ambassador to Djibouti Aqsa Nawaz underscored Somalia’s importance as a key East African partner under Pakistan’s “Engage Africa” policy and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Somalia’s peace, development, and sovereignty. She noted Pakistan’s consistent support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and highlighted close coordination between the two countries at the United Nations, the OIC, and the G-77.

Referring to growing cooperation in trade, education, and people-to-people exchanges, she expressed confidence that Pakistan-Somalia relations would continue to deepen. Chairman Board of Governors (BoG) ISSI Khalid Mahmood highlighted the longstanding and friendly relations between Pakistan and Somalia, based on mutual respect, shared values, and close people-to-people ties. He recalled Pakistan’s important contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations in Somalia, reflecting their shared commitment to international peace and security.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2026