Pakistan’s ambassador to Algiers foresees ‘bright future’ for bilateral ties

By: Hana Saada

ALGIERS- The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Algeria, Muhammed Tariq predicted, Wednesday, “a radiant future” for the relations between the two friendly countries which celebrate this year the 65th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.

“I had a fruitful meeting with the President of the Republic to whom I expressed Pakistan’s willingness to further strengthen cooperation with Algeria,” declared the Pakistani diplomat following the audience granted to him by the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune at the headquarters of the Presidency of the Republic, at the end of his mission in Algiers.

“The year 2023 marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations which have seen the organization of several activities”, he added, expressing the wish to see “bilateral cooperation be further strengthened”.

“The future of Algerian-Pakistani relations will be radiant (..) as soon as I return to the country, I will spare no effort to continue to work selflessly to further strengthen relations between the two countries,” he said.

Mr. Tariq said he was “happy to have accomplished my mission and sad at the same time to have to leave this beautiful country and its authentic people”.

On another level, the diplomat expressed the wish to see “the Algerian Government materialize the objectives of the new Algeria, under the leadership of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune”.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Prime Minister, Mr. Aïmene Benabderrahmane, received  the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Algeria, Muhammed Tariq, who paid him a farewell visit at the end of his mission. The meeting, which took place at the Government Palace, was “an opportunity to discuss the historic relations between Algeria and Pakistan and the prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields”.

Sneak peek into Algerian-Pakistani relations:

Relations between the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, a country in North Africa, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a country in South Asia, are excellent. Pakistan was a staunch ally during Algeria’s struggle for independence against France. Both nations formally established cordial diplomatic ties in 1958 as Pakistan was one of the first countries that supported the Algerian revolution and recognized its provisional government by adopting a representative office in the capital, Karachi. The government of Pakistan provided diplomatic passports to prominent members of the Algerian provisional government in exile for their trips abroad, such as; Ahmed Ben Bella.

They enjoy a full path of solidarity, cooperation and identical positions in regional and international organizations; both nations supported each other in various multilateral forums, including the UN, the OIC and the Non-Aligned Movement. Algeria and Pakistan are both parties to many organizations bringing together many Muslim countries such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Islamic Development Bank. Algeria has an embassy in Islamabad and Pakistan has an embassy in Algiers.

A Pak-Algerian Group in the Pakistan Parliament was formed on 10 January 1990. The first ever Parliamentary Group in Algeria dedicated to the Promotion of friendship between Algeria and Pakistan was instituted on 29 December 1990. Subsequently, a Parliamentarian group of friendship with Algeria was also created in the Senate of Pakistan and Algeria reciprocated by establishing a 13-member Algeria-Pakistan Group of Friendship in the National Council of Transition.

The relations between the two countries got a fresh boost after the visit of the former President Musharraf in July 2003. This visit was a significant step forward in strengthening and upgrading the level of bilateral relations between the two countries. President’s meetings with the Algerian President and other leaders afforded an opportunity to exchange views and develop better understanding on the wide-ranging subjects of mutual, regional and international concern.

In September 2005, the first inaugural session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) between Pakistan and Algeria was held in Islamabad. The Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises and Handicraft Mustapha Benbada, headed the Algerian delegation while the then Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Mr. Amanullah Khan Jadoon led the Pakistani side. Pakistan-Algeria JMC was established in 1987 and this first session took place after a lapse of 18 years. Three agreements for cooperation in the fields of small and medium enterprises (SME) and handicrafts, cultural exchange program 2005-08 and science and technology were signed.

Following the 8 October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, the government of Algeria sent 800 tents, 200 blankets and 10 tons of medicines. In November 2008, following the earthquake in Baluchistan, the Government of Algeria donated a cheque of US$1 million.

The former President of Algeria, the late Abdelaziz Bouteflika was awarded the honour of the “Best Governed Muslim state” by a popular national daily Pakistan Observer in 2005.

After the death of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in December 2007, the Algerian government condemned her assassination. Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci signed the book of condolences on behalf of the Algerian President. Pakistan, for its part, has strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Algiers on 11 December 2007, in which two bombs exploded in Algiers outside the Constitutional Council and the suicide bomb attack on the Prime Minister’s Office on 11 April 2007. Former President Musharraf expressed solidarity with Algeria, strongly condemned this attack and condoled the deaths of innocent civilians.

Algeria and Pakistan, both of which are major pivotal countries in their region, possess considerable wealth and potential, high competencies and expertise, diversified trade exchange opportunities and fruitful partnerships in various sectors such as: industry, agriculture, energy, mines and modern technologies. The main exports from Pakistan to Algeria are textile, sports equipment, and rice.

Last March, Algeria-Pakistan parliamentary group was installed at the headquarters of the People’s National Assembly (APN), constituting a space for consultation and exchange to further strengthen relations between the two countries.

In 2023, Algeria and Pakistan celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, an occasion to make more joint efforts to activate and promote bilateral relations in various fields, reflecting the distinguished historical and political relations, and achieving the aspirations of the two brotherly peoples for progress and prosperity.