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Ambassador Murad Baseer
Tomorrow, April 18, the Government and the people of Zimbabwe will be celebrating 43 years of their independence. On behalf of the Government and the people of Pakistan, I would like to convey my heartiest felicitations to the Government and the great people of Zimbabwe on this auspicious occasion.
Pakistan-Zimbabwe co-operation began long before the independence of Zimbabwe.
The deep-rooted relations were harnessed in the backdrop of Pakistan’s support to the cause of freedom of the people of Zimbabwe who fought against the yoke of the Rhodesian apartheid regime.
The foundations of our bilateral relations were laid down when the leadership of Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu PF) which was exiled in Mozambique befriended the then Ambassador of Pakistan His Excellency Anwar Khan.
This was the beginning of a new relationship that resulted in training and organising the freedom movement into an organised force that played a key role in bringing the Rhodesian Army to its knees leading to Zimbabwe’s independence on the 18th April 1980.
The late President Zia ul Haq of Pakistan attended the inauguration of the late President Robert Gabriel Mugabe on April, 17th 1980.
Pakistan celebrated the emergence of a new nation and a close friend in Africa.
The post independent era resulted in rapid co-operation between the two countries.
Ambassador Anwar Khan eventually became the first Ambassador of Pakistan in Harare as the Government of Pakistan moved its Embassy from Maputo, Mozambique to the newly independent capital of Harare, Zimbabwe.
Both states after the formal establishment of diplomatic relations in 1980 began co-operation in diverse sectors.
Both countries signed the Joint Ministerial Commission for Economic, Scientific, Technical, Cultural and Educational Co-operation in 1983 that became the foundation for co-operation at the Government-to-Government level.
Pakistan was instrumental in bringing vital manpower needed in Zimbabwe from medical doctors to paramedics, healthcare specialists, engineers, teachers, trainers, architects and experts in curriculum development among others.
Pakistani medical professionals have a special place in Zimbabwe, many of them came as young physicians, gynaecologists, dentists, anaesthetists and general practitioners and made Zimbabwe their new home.
A few of these old doctors are still contributing to the health system of Zimbabwe.
Similarly, there has been co-operation in various fields where officials have been trained in banking, railways, telecommunication, aviation, agriculture, health, education and defence among others. This was the Golden era of Pakistan– Zimbabwe bilateral relations.
Defence co-operation on the other hand is considered as the pivot of Pakistan-Zimbabwe bilateral relations.
Apart from the initial support to the freedom struggle, the most significant contributions in the defence sector that came from Pakistan was the establishment of the infrastructure for the Air Force Zimbabwe (AFZ). This co-operation resulted in the arrival of defence personnel from Pakistan Airforce (PAF) pilots, engineers and technicians who were deputed with the AFZ.
Air Marshal Mohammed Azim Daudpota, a decorated officer of the Pakistan Air Force was credited to be the first Air Chief of AFZ from 1983-86.
He along with several officers from the PAF contributed to the formative years of the AFZ and this co-operation between the two Air Forces continues till date.
Despite the goodwill and warmth, bilateral co-operation somewhat went on to the back burner in the aftermath of the illegal sanctions imposed in 2003 by western powers on Zimbabwe.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s own pre-occupation with geo-strategic events unfolding in its immediate neighbourhood post 911 resulted in this lull in bilateral relations.
Despite this goodwill has always remained between the two countries.
I once again see Pakistan and Zimbabwe coming closer to each other.
After 43 years of diplomatic recognition and Pakistan’s presence in Harare, the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe has decided to open a full-fledged diplomatic mission in Islamabad.
I believe that the year 2023 therefore can be termed as the “Year of Revival of bilateral relations” between Pakistan and Zimbabwe.
I congratulate the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Government on taking this initiative to re-engage with old friends like Pakistan and re-initiate bilateral co-operation with focus on bilateral trade and commerce.
The Government of Pakistan welcomes this decision.
It was my single honour to have received the Zimbabwe Government delegation at Islamabad airport after years on February 22 this year.
The team toured Islamabad and met with relevant offices in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to complete all cordial formalities. I am eagerly looking forward to working with my Zimbabwean counterpart to build new bonds and re-establish the linkages and relationships between the two nations.
I am sure that the opening of the new Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in Islamabad will become a catalyst leading to newer avenues of bilateral trade co-operation which are in line with the Vision 2030 as envisaged by President Mnangagwa.
There is immense potential for Pakistani products in the local Zimbabwean market from tractors and agri-machinery, pharmaceutical industry, auto parts, mobile phone industry, plastic implements, two and three wheelers, Information Technology, kitchen cookware and cutlery, furniture and décor and mattresses, electrical pumps and generators, chemicals and paints, cosmetics, rubber articles, construction materials and packaging industry.
Similarly, Zimbabwe also offers enormous opportunities for exports to Pakistan especially in the form of raw materials and minerals.
Zimbabwe exported raw cotton worth US$20 million during the fiscal year 2021-22.
Unfortunately, the current trade statistics do not justify the true potential of economic co-operation between the two countries.
During the fiscal year 2021-22, Pakistan’s exports to Zimbabwe amounted to around US$9.58 million and its imports from Zimbabwe stood at US$21.58 million with balance of trade in favour of Zimbabwe.
The government of Pakistan through its Engage Africa policy has embarked on an ambitious plan to introduce Pakistani products into the African market.
All that is required is a concerted effort to create business opportunities.
I am sure that with the opening of Zimbabwe’s diplomatic mission in Islamabad, its trade office will be able to cultivate business to business ties that will ensure not just the enhancement of exports to Zimbabwe but also result in imports and investment related opportunities in manufacturing for Pakistani businesses in Zimbabwe.
I would like to make a special mention on the Pakistani diaspora in Zimbabwe.
During the 1980s and 1990s, a number of young professionals from Pakistan came to Zimbabwe and made this beautiful country their home and contributed to the development of Zimbabwe.
Now most of them are second generation Zimbabwean nationals who are playing their positive role and can become that bridge that can enhance our bilateral business and cultural ties.
The current segment of the Pakistani diaspora living in Zimbabwe comprise of businessmen working in varied sectors from import /export business to confectionery to home textiles to printing to packaging to owning flours and steel mills etc. These people are playing a key role in the economic wellbeing of Zimbabwe.
On this auspicious occasion of Zimbabwe’s independence day celebrations, I would like to felicitate once again the Government and the great people of Zimbabwe on their 43rd year of independence.
I am confident that bilateral relations in the coming years will flourish between our friendly nations. Love live Pakistan –Zimbabwe relations.
Online Reporter