Introduction to Pakistan’s foreign policy in the region followed by an input on individual       countries

Pakistan has maintained good ties with African region, particularly the North African countries, in which Pakistan, as a newly independent state, supported them in their independence movements and struggle against colonization.

Lately, Pakistan has launched its ‘Engage Africa Initiative’ to strengthen political, diplomatic and economic ties with the African continent, reviving its long-standing partnership with Africa. The policy initiative is also aimed at expanding cultural and people-to-people exchanges. This policy initiative has also seen opening of five new diplomatic missions in Djibouti, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Uganda, and upgrading of Niger and Tanzania to ambassadorial levels.

Morocco

In 1952, when Morocco was under French rule fighting for its independence, Sultan Muhammad V sent Ahmed Balafraj to address UN Security Council session in support of Moroccan independence. However, French delegates disallowed him to speak, insisting Morocco to be a French colony. Pakistan, a proponent of the rights of self-determination, led by Sir Zafarullah Khan at the UNSC session, immediately opened the Pakistani embassy at night and issued Mr. Balafraj a Pakistani passport. The next day, Mr. Balafraj addressed UNSC as a Pakistani citizen, which precipitated Morocco’s stance for independence internationally and enabled Moroccan independence in March 1956.

After independence, the Sultan appointed Ahmed Balafraj as the first Prime Minister of Morocco; in his office, Mr. Balafraj used to hang his framed Pakistani Passport.

The bilateral relationship between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Morocco is characterized by cordiality and historic fraternity. Morocco is one of the key influential players on the African continent, is the birthplace of OIC and has membership of African Union and the Arab League. Pakistan stands to leverage Morocco’s immense geopolitical, leadership and economic goodwill in the African continent and beyond.