ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s engagement with Africa is gradually growing despite the slowdown in the implementation of the ‘2019 Engage Africa Policy’, said Additional Secretary (Africa) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sheryar Akbar Khan on Thursday.

He was speaking at the launch of the country’s first think-tank on Africa - Pakistan-Africa Institute for Development & Research (PAIDAR) - which has been founded by Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed. The think-tank was launched at a seminar hosted by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) with the theme: “Reviving the Bandung spirit of Afro-Asian solidarity: Pakistan-Africa relations”.

PAIDAR’s launch coincided with the 69th anniversary of the Bandung conference of Asian and African nations held on April 18, 1955 in Indonesia in which Pakistan participated together with China as well as countries from Africa.

The senior foreign ministry official said the first phase of Engage Africa Policy was successfully implemented under which Pakistan opened five new missions in Africa taking Pakistan’s diplomatic presence in the continent to 20. Moreover, two existing missions were upgraded.

Five more missions were planned to be opened under the Phase–II of the policy, but financial constraints forced revision of the goals and now the plan is to add one mission every year, he added.

Additionally, MoUs for political consultations have been signed with 10 African countries, Mr Khan said, adding that previously there were such arrangements with only seven countries in the continent.

Ethiopia and Zimbabwe opened diplomatic missions in Pakistan over the past two years. Rwanda and Tanzania are, meanwhile, opening their missions here later this year.

Senator Mushahid said Africa was a pivotal player in the resurgence of the Global South with 54 members of the African Union.

Outlining the objectives of the new Africa specific think-tank, Senator Mushahid said it was established to restore Pakistan’s foreign policy priority orientation and involvement in Africa and for reviving Pakistan-Africa bond through people-to-people exchanges and business-to-business connectivity in such areas as education, environment and climate change, trade and investment, energy, promoting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, maritime affairs, sports, tourism and culture.

Director General ISSI Amb Sohail Mahmood said that deeper engagement with Africa remains a strategic imperative for Pakistan.

“Forging a strong and effective partnership for peace, progress and prosperity is an indispensable goal, which should be advanced through a clear vision, consistent policy, and a long-term strategy,” he said.

Dean of the Islamabad-based African Corps Amb Mohammed Karmoune identified science and technology, agriculture, industrial cooperation and the promotion of trade and investments as the potential areas of cooperation between Pakistan and African 0countries

Ethiopian envoy Jemal Beker said Pakistan government’s ‘Look Africa’ and ‘Engage Africa’ policies led to the establishment of Ethiopia’s Mission in Islamabad as well as the commencement of Ethiopian airline direct flights to Pakistan.

Kenyan High Commissioner Mary Nyambura Kamau urged Pakistan to focus on enhancing economic cooperation through trade, investment, joint ventures, tourism, and technology exchange. This, she suggested, could be done both through regional blocks and bilateral levels.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2024