ZUBAIR QURESHI
The High Commission of Rwanda in Pakistan on Saturday celebrated Kwibohora 32, marking the 32nd Liberation Day of the Republic of Rwanda, with a grand reception at a local hotel in Islamabad.
The event was attended by members of the Rwandan community, senior government officials, diplomats, ambassadors, high commissioners, business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, media representatives and Friends of Rwanda.
Speaking on the occasion, Rwanda’s High Commissioner Ms Harerimana Fatou, described Kwibohora as a defining moment in Rwanda’s history and reflected on the country’s remarkable transformation since its liberation in 1994.
She paid tribute to the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) and the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives to stop the Genocide against the Tutsi and liberate the country, saying their courage and dedication would never be forgotten.
The High Commissioner said Rwanda, under the leadership of President Paul Kagame and the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), had achieved extraordinary progress over the past three decades, emerging as a gateway to Africa through innovation, resilience and sustainable development.
Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik, who attended the ceremony as chief guest, reaffirmed the strong and expanding friendship between Pakistan and Rwanda.
He highlighted growing bilateral cooperation in defence, trade, health, education, agriculture, tourism and parliamentary diplomacy, as well as collaboration at the United Nations and other international forums on peacekeeping, climate action and sustainable development.
Referring to Kwibohora, the minister said the day commemorates Rwanda’s liberation on July 4, 1994, and symbolizes the country’s journey of unity, reconciliation, resilience and socio-economic transformation. He praised Rwanda’s achievements and expressed confidence that relations between Pakistan and Rwanda would continue to grow for the mutual benefit of both countries.
A ceremonial cake-cutting was held to mark Rwanda’s 32nd Liberation Day, symbolizing the country’s continued progress and the strong friendship between the two nations.
Guests also enjoyed traditional Rwandan music and cultural performances, while a special Rwandan coffee stall introduced visitors to the country’s internationally renowned specialty coffee, highlighting one of Rwanda’s leading agricultural exports.
The ceremony concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
If you prefer, I can also rewrite it in APP-style inverted pyramid format with a stronger lead and shorter paragraphs suitable for publication in Pakistani newspapers.
