Minister Khadija Al-Makhzoumi Visits Islamabad to Foster Human Rights Capacity Building

ISLAMABAD – The Minister of Family and Human Rights Development of the Federal Government of Somalia, Ambassador Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, has held a bilateral meeting with the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Rabiya Javeri Agha, in Islamabad to strengthen cooperation in the protection and promotion of human rights.

The meeting, which took place at the commission’s headquarters, marks a homecoming of sorts for Minister Al-Makhzoumi, who previously served as Somalia’s Ambassador to Pakistan from 2016 to 2022. During her six-year tenure as ambassador, she played a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and fostering cooperation in various fields. Her farewell call on former Pakistani President Dr. Arif Alvi in April 2022 marked the end of a diplomatic mission that saw significant milestones in Pakistan-Somalia relations.

The discussions focused on enhancing collaboration between the two countries in the areas of human rights development, institutional capacity building, and the exchange of expertise on the role of independent human rights bodies. Both sides shared insights on the functioning of national human rights institutions and the importance of technical cooperation between Somalia and Pakistan.

Somalia and Pakistan have recently strengthened their bilateral ties, with both nations agreeing to eliminate visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders and expanding cooperation in law enforcement, counter-narcotics, and economic partnerships.

Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission Shares Expertise

Chairperson Rabiya Javeri Agha briefed Minister Al-Makhzoumi on the progress made by Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission in achieving “A status” accreditation, a recognition granted to national human rights institutions that demonstrate significant progress in protecting and promoting human rights in accordance with international standards. The Pakistani commission pledged to support the Somali government in providing knowledge-sharing and capacity-building programs for Somalia’s newly established Independent National Human Rights Commission.

The Somali parliament took a historic step in October 2025 by establishing the National Independent Human Rights Commission, a move widely hailed as a turning point in the country’s governance and accountability reforms after more than thirty years of external monitoring that began in 1993.

Somalia’s Human Rights Commission Takes Shape

Minister Al-Makhzoumi previously welcomed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s decisive action to finalize the establishment of the Independent National Human Rights Commission, with the President signing the decree completing the commission’s membership in December 2025, coinciding with International Human Rights Day.

Dr. Maryam Qasim Ahmed was elected Chairperson of Somalia’s Independent Human Rights Commission in February 2026, bringing over forty years of expertise in public administration, health, education, and humanitarian affairs to the role. The commission consists of nine members chosen through a merit-based selection process conducted in May 2025.

Deepening Somalia-Pakistan Relations

The meeting in Islamabad is part of a broader push to deepen bilateral relations between Somalia and Pakistan, building on the foundation laid during Minister Al-Makhzoumi’s tenure as ambassador. The two countries have been working to expand collaboration in diplomacy, security, trade, education, health, and institutional capacity-building, fields deemed essential for promoting sustainable development in both nations.

A high-level Somali delegation led by Interior Minister Ali Yusuf Ali (Hosh) visited Islamabad in January 2026 to discuss state-building priorities, including national identification and civil registration systems, electoral processes, and democratic governance, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster response mechanisms.

A Homecoming for the Minister

Minister Al-Makhzoumi’s return to Islamabad as a cabinet minister rather than ambassador underscores the enduring strength of the relationship between the two countries. During her farewell in 2022, she noted that she was leaving Pakistan on a positive note, with bilateral relations on an upward trajectory. Her current visit reflects the continued commitment of both nations to deepen their partnership in new and important areas, including human rights.

Way Forward

Minister Al-Makhzoumi expressed gratitude to the Pakistani commission for its commitment to supporting the capacity development, knowledge, and experience of Somalia’s human rights commission. She confirmed that Somalia would benefit from Pakistan’s expertise and working practices to strengthen the national institutions responsible for protecting and promoting human rights in the country.

The meeting reflects Somalia’s ongoing efforts to reclaim full ownership of its human rights agenda and build the institutional capacity needed to safeguard the rights of its citizens. As the Federal Government continues to strengthen its partnership with Pakistan, the exchange of technical expertise and best practices is expected to contribute to the development of a robust human rights framework in Somalia.