Naveed Ahmad Khan
ISLAMABAD, August 19, 2026: 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 bilateral trade and commercial activities.
Speaking at a farewell reception hosted in her honour by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), she said Pakistan and Tunisia needed to further strengthen their economic and trade relations and intensify efforts to increase bilateral commerce.
Ms. Maaroufi appreciated Pakistan’s principled foreign policy and its support for oppressed nations, particularly its backing of 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 and expressed hope that cooperation would continue under her successor.
Recalling her five-year diplomatic assignment in Pakistan, Ms. Maaroufi said the country had become an important part of her professional and personal life. She said that although she was leaving Pakistan physically, the country would remain in her heart and memories, and she would continue contributing to stronger Pakistan-Tunisia friendship after returning home.
Secretary General United Business Group Zafar Bakhtawari said Pakistan and Tunisia enjoyed deep-rooted, historic and brotherly relations, but their economic and trade ties needed to be brought at par with their strong political and diplomatic relations.
He recalled that Tunisian independence leader Habib Bourguiba had visited Karachi in 1951 during Tunisia’s struggle against French colonial rule. Pakistan extended moral and political support to Tunisia’s struggle for self-determination, establishing a bond of friendship that predated Tunisia’s independence in 1956 and formal diplomatic relations.
Bakhtawari said this historic legacy should now be translated into stronger trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people cooperation. He paid tribute to Ms. Maaroufi for her five years of diplomatic service and appreciated her contribution to strengthening relations between the Tunisian Embassy and ICCI.
Acting President ICCI Irfan Chaudhry said Pakistan must transform its longstanding friendship with African countries into stronger trade, investment and business partnerships. He said greater economic engagement with Africa could create new opportunities for Pakistani businesses and support national economic growth.
Director Foreign Affairs, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Asif Luqman Qazi highlighted Tunisia’s contributions to Islamic civilization, education, culture and intellectual development. He said Tunisia had historically been an important centre of knowledge and learning and was also the birthplace of the Arab Spring.
Participants paid tribute to Ms. Maaroufi’s services and expressed hope that she would continue to serve as a goodwill ambassador for Pakistan-Tunisia friendship, helping promote stronger economic, diplomatic and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
