She expressed these views while addressing a farewell reception hosted in her honour at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). The event was attended by Rwanda’s High Commissioner H.E. Harerimana Fatu, Zimbabwe’s High Commissioner H.E. Titus M.J. Abu Basutu, Acting Ambassador of South Africa H.E. Rudolph Pierre Jordan, ICCI Executive Members and business leaders

Saifullah Ansar/DNA

ISLAMABAD: Tunisia’s Chargé d’Affaires, Ms. Dorsaf Maaroufi, has said that the Preferential Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Tunisia will create new opportunities for expanding trade and commercial activities between the two countries. She said Pakistan’s principled foreign policy and support for oppressed nations had earned deep appreciation and respect in Tunisia.

She expressed these views while addressing a farewell reception hosted in her honour at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). The event was attended by Rwanda’s High Commissioner H.E. Harerimana Fatu, Zimbabwe’s High Commissioner H.E. Titus M.J. Abu Basutu, Acting Ambassador of South Africa H.E. Rudolph Pierre Jordan, ICCI Executive Members and business leaders.

Ms. Maaroufi said that Pakistan and Tunisia need to further strengthen their economic and trade relations, adding that efforts were underway to increase bilateral trade. She appreciated Pakistan’s support for Tunisia’s position at the United Nations.

She also recalled the visit of a large ICCI business delegation to Tunisia in 2025, which participated in the International Coffee Festival and signed agreements with various Chambers of Commerce. She termed the visit an important milestone in promoting bilateral trade relations and expressed hope that cooperation would continue during the tenure of her successor.

Ms. Maaroufi said Pakistan had become an important part of her professional and personal life during her first diplomatic assignment. Although she was leaving Pakistan physically, the country would always remain in her heart and memories. She said she would continue playing her role in promoting friendship between Pakistan and Tunisia after returning to Tunisia.

Secretary General United Business Group (UBG) Zafar Bakhtawari said Pakistan and Tunisia enjoy deep-rooted, brotherly and longstanding relations; however, their economic and trade ties must be brought at par with the strength of their political and diplomatic relations.

He said that Pakistan–Tunisia relations are deep-rooted, historic and brotherly, with their foundations laid even before Tunisia achieved independence. He recalled that in 1951, during Tunisia’s struggle for freedom from French colonial rule, Habib Bourguiba—who later became the first President of independent Tunisia—visited Karachi as part of his international campaign to mobilize support for the Tunisian independence movement. Pakistan extended moral and political support to Tunisia’s struggle for self-determination, creating a bond of friendship that predates Tunisia’s independence in 1956 and the establishment of formal diplomatic relations. He said this historic legacy should now be translated into stronger trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

Paying tribute to Ms. Maaroufi for her five years of diplomatic services in Islamabad, he said she had made valuable contributions to strengthening Pakistan-Tunisia relations and played an important role in establishing warm and strong relations between the Tunisian Embassy and ICCI.

Zafar Bakhtawari said Ms. Maaroufi’s presence had added warmth to Islamabad’s diplomatic community and her services would always be remembered with great respect. He stressed the need to promote direct trade, tourism, investment and business-to-business linkages, saying that stronger connectivity could open up significant opportunities for economic cooperation between the two countries.

He expressed hope that after returning to Tunisia, Ms. Maaroufi would continue to serve as a goodwill ambassador for Pakistan-Tunisia friendship and contribute to strengthening economic and people-to-people relations between the two brotherly countries.

Acting President ICCI Irfan Chaudhry said Pakistan must transform its longstanding friendly relations with African countries into strong trade, investment and business partnerships. He said closer economic engagement with Africa could create new opportunities for the Pakistani business community and contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth.

He appreciated Ms. Maaroufi’s valuable services for promoting Pakistan-Tunisia relations and said she had played an important role in enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

Director Foreign Affairs, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Asif Luqman Qazi highlighted Tunisia’s significant contributions to Islamic civilization, education, culture and intellectual development. He said Tunisia had historically been a centre of knowledge and learning and was also the birthplace of the Arab Spring.

He expressed pride in the close friendship between Pakistan and Tunisia and said Ms. Maaroufi’s services for promoting Pakistan-Tunisia friendship would always be remembered.