- President hails Kazakhstan’s role in regional rail, road, and air link projects to people-to-people exchanges
- Highlights deep-rooted and friendly relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, founded on shared perspectives on regional and global issues
- Kazakh DPM/FM discusses upcoming State Visit and expanding cooperation in energy, agriculture, and investment
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday welcomed Kazakhstan’s participation in regional connectivity projects, including rail and road initiatives, and emphasized the importance of establishing direct air links to promote trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
The president expressed these views during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr to reaffirm Kazakhstan’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Pakistan.
Warmly welcoming the visiting dignitary, President Zardari highlighted the deep-rooted and friendly relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, founded on mutual trust, respect, and shared perspectives on regional and global issues, according to a press release issued by the Presidency.
He expressed satisfaction over the momentum generated by recent high-level interactions and institutional linkages, which are positively impacting the trajectory of bilateral relations.
President Zardari noted the increasing volume of trade between the two countries and stressed the need to further expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, and regional connectivity. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for Kazakhstan’s involvement in regional infrastructure projects and underlined the critical role of direct air connectivity in facilitating economic and cultural linkages.
During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Nurtleu informed the President that his visit was part of preparations for the upcoming State Visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Pakistan later this year.
President Zardari said that Pakistan is looking forward to warmly welcoming the Kazakh President and expressed confidence that the visit would open new avenues for bilateral cooperation and enhanced economic partnership.
The meeting was attended by a high-level Kazakh delegation, including Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev, Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin, First Vice-Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Kanysh Tuleushin and Vice-Minister of Agriculture Yermek Kenzhehanuly.
From the Pakistani side, the attendees included Deputy PM/FM Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, Parliamentary Leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party in the Senate Sherry Rehman and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch.
President Meets Ambassador-designate to Kyrgyz Republic
Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari also met with the ambassador-designate of Pakistan to the Kyrgyz Republic, Altamash Wazir Khan, at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Congratulating the envoy on his new assignment, the President extended his best wishes and expressed confidence that Ambassador Khan would make dedicated efforts to further strengthen Pakistan’s fraternal ties with Kyrgyzstan.
President Zardari emphasized that Pakistan deeply values its close relations with the Kyrgyz Republic, grounded in shared faith, historical ties, and cultural affinity.
He also underscored the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, regional connectivity, and education, and hoped the new envoy would play an instrumental role in expanding Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations.
