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Home/Research & Publications/Pakistan's Bilateral Relations/Pakistan–South Africa

Pakistan–South Africa Relations

Full diplomatic relations since 1994, rooted in Pakistan's support against apartheid and two visits by Nelson Mandela; a Joint Commission agreement (2021), defence ties and a Pakistani community of about 200,000. Compiled by the IPDS Centre for Africa Studies from official sources. Last revised 7 November 2026.

1994
Full diplomatic relations
US$789m
Trade, 2025 (UN Comtrade)
200,000
Pakistani community in South Africa
2
Visits by President Mandela
Latest development →ChronologyAll countries A–Z
Latest development

Where Pakistan–South Africa Relations Stand Now

Sep 2026

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa Angela Thokozile Didiza met on the sidelines of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town and agreed to expand parliamentary cooperation, including on committees, trade, tourism and people-to-people contacts. (Daily Independent)

Pakistan and South Africa established full diplomatic relations in 1994. Pakistan was at the forefront of international efforts to dismantle apartheid, and President Nelson Mandela visited Pakistan twice, in October 1992 and May 1999, receiving the Nishan-e-Pakistan and addressing a joint sitting of Parliament. Defence cooperation is a pillar of the relationship, and around 200,000 Pakistanis live in South Africa.

Overview

The Relationship by Theme

Political & Parliamentary

Oct 1992 and May 1999: President Nelson Mandela visited Pakistan twice; on the second visit he addressed a joint sitting of Parliament. (High Commission of Pakistan, Pretoria)

Dec 2013: President Mamnoon Hussain attended President Mandela's funeral. (High Commission of Pakistan, Pretoria)

Sep 2026: The two National Assembly Speakers agreed to expand parliamentary cooperation. (Daily Independent)

Trade

2025: Pakistan-reported trade was US$789.0 million: exports US$170.0 million and imports US$619.0 million. (UN Comtrade, Pakistan-reported trade)

Defence

Ongoing: Defence cooperation has been the pivot of relations, with frequent high-level military interaction. (High Commission of Pakistan, Pretoria)

Institutional framework

Dialogue Mechanisms

MechanismStatus
Pakistan-South Africa Joint CommissionAgreement on its establishment signed in Pretoria on 25 November 2021. (Radio Pakistan)
Legal base

Agreements & Frameworks

YearAgreement
25 Nov 2021Agreement on the Establishment of the Pakistan-South Africa Joint Commission, signed by High Commissioner Mazhar Javed and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr. GNM Pandor. (Radio Pakistan)
Timeline

Chronology

1992 to 2013 · The Mandela years

Pakistan's stand against apartheid shaped the relationship.

Oct 1992

Nelson Mandela visited Pakistan. (High Commission of Pakistan, Pretoria)

1994

Full diplomatic relations established; Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto attended President Mandela's inauguration. (High Commission of Pakistan, Pretoria)

May 1999

President Mandela's second visit; address to a joint sitting of Parliament. (High Commission of Pakistan, Pretoria)

2014 to present · Institutional ties

A Joint Commission and parliamentary links.

25 Nov 2021

Joint Commission agreement signed in Pretoria. (Radio Pakistan)

Sep 2026

Speakers met in Cape Town. (Daily Independent)

Quick answers

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Pakistan and South Africa establish diplomatic relations?

Full diplomatic relations were established in 1994.

Did Nelson Mandela visit Pakistan?

Yes, twice: in October 1992 and May 1999. He received the Nishan-e-Pakistan and addressed a joint sitting of Parliament.

Sources & method

Sources & Methodology

Official records come first: Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its embassy pages, the partner government's own publications, and state news services. News reporting is cited only where no official text is published. Every entry links to its source. No Wikipedia.

How to cite: IPDS Centre for Africa Studies, “Pakistan–South Africa Relations,” Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, last revised 7 November 2026, https://ipd.org.pk/research-publications/pakistan-south-africa-relations-tracker/

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More from the Centre for Africa Studies: Pakistan–Egypt · Pakistan–Morocco · Pakistan–Nigeria · Pakistan–Kenya · Pakistan–Tanzania
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Pakistan–South Africa relations at IPDS

This page is maintained by the IPDS Centre for Africa Studies and revised as new visits, agreements and data are published.

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