The chief guest on the occasion, Federal Minister for Energy Mussadaq Masood Malik , along with Dean of the African Group Mohamed Karmoune, Ambassador of Morocco underlined the importance of trade and other cooperation between Pakistan and the African continent. Africa is the continent of the future”, said Mohamed Karnoune Ambassador of Morocco, who is dean of the Africa Group embassies and high commissions in Islamabad. The day is marked every year to commemorate the establishment of the Africa Union (AU), earlier named Organization of African Unity (OAU), established in 1963, which has 55 members.
African day is an important moment for Africa and people of African heritage all over the world. It is also an important day for countries such as Pakistan to highlight the importance of building friendships and links across Africa.
African day 2024 was another example of the deepening links between Pakistan and the people of Africa.
A Pakistani guest suggested that cooperation between Pakistan and African countries, can be of mutual benefit in development. “Often, Pakistanis think there is little to learn from Africa, but that is not always the case. For example, many African countries have better education coverage at primary level than Pakistan has. They have modern cities, not only traditional and backward villages. And there is Chinese investments in infrastructure and natural resources, like in Pakistan”, said an East African student at IIUI, the Islamic university in Islamabad.
A female African guest said that she hoped for concrete cooperation projects involving women. “African women are strong and conscious, and many have great entrepreneurial skills”, she said.
With the ceremonial cake cutting, African music, dance, art and performance was showcased in event.
BY: Nadeem Faisal Baiga
