Islamabad — In a significant gesture of friendship and solidarity, the Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), hosted a commemorative event to mark Egypt’s Revolution Day.
The ceremony opened with the national anthems of Pakistan and Egypt and was moderated by Ms. Amina Khan, Director of CAMEA. The event brought together prominent diplomats, scholars, and policymakers, including Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI; Dr. Ihab Abdelhamid Hassan, Ambassador of Egypt to Pakistan; Ambassador Aamir Shouket of Pakistan to Egypt; and Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BOG ISSI. The Chief Guest was Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President of PAIDAR, while the keynote address was delivered by Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Secretary (Africa), Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In his address, Senator Mushahid Hussain emphasized Egypt’s profound influence on global and regional history, describing it as a civilizational powerhouse with a 5,000-year legacy. He commended Egypt’s revolutionary milestones—particularly the 1952 Revolution, the nationalization of the Suez Canal in 1956, and the Ramadan War of 1973—as defining moments that cemented its role in Arab and African affairs. He further underlined Egypt’s special place in Pakistan’s ‘Engage Africa’ policy and historical ties, including its early diplomatic recognition of Pakistan and shared participation in multilateral platforms like the OIC and NAM.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlighted the transformative significance of the July 1952 Revolution in Egypt’s journey toward sovereignty, dignity, and social justice. He acknowledged Egypt’s leadership in regional peace and development, and praised the strong, multifaceted Pakistan-Egypt relationship. He called for enhanced cooperation in trade, energy, education, infrastructure, and tourism, while affirming ISSI’s commitment to deeper academic and policy linkages with Egyptian institutions.
Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan lauded Egypt’s contributions to Islamic scholarship, cultural heritage, and sustainable development. He noted Egypt’s Vision 2030 as a model for inclusive growth and called on Pakistan to draw inspiration from Egypt’s success in youth engagement, water management, and tourism. He also highlighted Pakistan’s active presence in Egypt’s sports industry through its football manufacturing sector.
Dr. Ihab Abdelhamid Hassan, Ambassador of Egypt to Pakistan, reflected on the lasting impact of the July 23 Revolution as a symbol of Egypt’s resilience and dignity. He underscored the deep-rooted friendship between Egypt and Pakistan, nurtured through decades of diplomatic, academic, and defense cooperation. He proudly noted that Egypt continues to offer scholarships to Pakistani students at Al-Azhar University and remains committed to broadening mutual collaboration. To commemorate the occasion, Ambassador Ihab also donated a curated collection of Egyptian books to the ISSI library.
Ambassador Aamir Shouket reaffirmed the strategic and cultural depth of Pakistan-Egypt relations, paying tribute to the Egyptian people’s aspirations for stability and sovereignty. He emphasized the shared vision and mutual respect that underpins the bilateral partnership, and expressed optimism about expanding cooperation in the years ahead.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood reiterated the historic nature of Pakistan-Egypt ties and praised the collaborative efforts of ISSI and PAIDAR in advancing this crucial relationship within the broader framework of Pakistan’s outreach to Africa.
Ms. Amina Khan concluded by underscoring Egypt’s vital role as a regional leader and its growing relevance to Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities. She called for greater collaboration in fields such as education, agriculture, climate resilience, and digital transformation.
The event served not only as a tribute to Egypt’s revolutionary legacy but also as a reaffirmation of the enduring friendship and strategic partnership between Pakistan and Egypt.
