Islamabad
\nPakistan should forge a deeper connection with Africa to transform the perception of the country and open doors for fruitful collaboration as well as move forward from \u2018Look Africa\u2019 toward \u2018Enter Africa,\u2019 said H.E. Mohammed Bello Abioye, the outgoing High Commissioner of Nigeria to Pakistan, during a farewell session and launch of his memoirs Pakistan: How I Saw It \u2013 Memoirs & Reflections, published by IPS Press, the publishing arm of Institute of Policy Studies (IPS).
\nThe session was also addressed by Khalid Rahman, chairman, IPS, Ambassador (r) Syed Abrar Hussain, vice chairman, IPS, Mthuthuzeli Madikiza, High Commissioner of South Africa to Pakistan, Mary Nyambura Kamau, High Commissioner of Kenya to Pakistan, and attended by officials from the Nigerian Embassy.
\nSpeaking about the book, H.E. Abioye stated that Pakistan How I Saw It: Memoirs & Reflections is a game-changing read as it challenges stereotypes and encourages a fresh perspective on Pakistan, which for too long has been misrepresented in books and media that paint a negative picture of the country.
\nDrawing on the background and content of the book, he stated that the common experiences of both countries can serve as a foundation for broader cooperation in various fields. In this regard, he mentioned governance as a critical aspect of development and its role in fostering stability and progress.
\nHe mentioned that Pakistan has significant potential in the science and technological sectors. With the right governance, this potential can catalyze a more positive relationship between Nigeria and Pakistan and become a stepping stone for collaborative efforts that could benefit both nations.
\nIn his remarks, Khalid Rahman said this book is based on the personal experiences of a seasoned diplomat that would be beneficial for people coming to Pakistan or going to Nigeria. Complimenting the author for the book\u2019s emphasis and content, he mentioned that such memoirs help the foreign world understand the true picture of Pakistan as well as benefit the residents of the host country about how they are perceived outside the country.
\nHe emphasized that diplomats should increasingly record their experiences and observations in a similar manner to propagate a country\u2019s true image, which has become increasingly challenging in today\u2019s post-truth era rife with misinformation and disinformation.
\nEndorsing H.E. Abioye, he maintained that governance, as the root cause of development problems, cannot be corrected in one day. A key issue of governance in Pakistan is the electoral system, and to counter this, Pakistan should move to a hybrid system that incorporates the elements of both first past the post and proportionate representation, he said.
\nEarlier, Abrar Hussain elaborated on the IPS\u2019 Africa Program, including a lecture series on Pakistan\u2019s foreign policy concerning Africa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad Pakistan should forge a deeper connection with Africa to transform the perception of the country and open doors for fruitful collaboration as well as move forward from \u2018Look Africa\u2019 toward \u2018Enter Africa,\u2019 said H.E. Mohammed Bello Abioye, the outgoing High Commissioner of Nigeria to Pakistan, during a farewell session and launch of his memoirs […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":364899,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-364886","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n