Karachi (Staff Reporter) The first Pakistani think tank on Africa PAIDAR has been launched in Karachi from the platform of Karachi Council on Foreign Relations at a local hotel. This initiative is being spearheaded by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed. The primary aim of PAIDAR is to highlight the increasing significance of African economies and their expanding influence on global economies and policymaking.
Talking to media here Mushahid Hussain, a former senator, said that the main purpose is to promote Pakistan relations with 55 countries of Africa. With home we have a historical bond. Pakistan was the first country in the 50s and 60 to support the liberation movement of African countries to provide them assistance in education, to give them support in education, to be their voice in the United Nation. That is why Pakistan is highly respected.
Another purpose is to promote people-to-people relationship with African countries.21 century is the age of global south and Pakistan is being a member of Security Council in 2025 and 2026 for next two years. Will be the voice of the global south. PAIDAR will be the platform for people-to-people understanding, education, trade investment and diplomacy. And we feel the future belongs to Asian African countries and next year inshAllah we will be celebrating seventy years of the benidorm conference which was held in Indonesia in 1955 and Pakistan was the founder of Asian and African countries. Time is right for this initiative and I am very happy that I have received a very positive response from all sections of the Karachi and notability business community.
The event was well attended by dignitaries, diplomats, academicians, businessmen and various Stakeholders who hailed the launch of this think tank as a right step towards promotion of trade and people to people relations with Africa.
KCFR (Karachi Council on Foreign Relations) and PIDAR (Pakistan –Africa institute of development and research) are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to foster collaboration in advancing investment and export initiatives. This partnership aims to leverage combined expertise, drive economic growth, and enhance global competitiveness, paving the way for innovative strategies and expanded opportunities in the African markets.
