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Preface
Pakistan and Kazakhstan are celebrating two decades of their diplomatic relations this year. But these relations are surpassed by centuries of cultural, religious, and historical ties. Diplomatic and political relations between the two countries were established in 1992 and have since grown from strength to strength.
Soon after gaining independence, the President of Kazakhstan, H.E Nursultan Nazarbayev paid a visit to Pakistan which reflects the significance and importance both countries attach to each other.
During that historic visit in February 1992, a number of key documents were signed to establish the relations on a solid footing. In 1995 Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto flew to the Kazakh capital to return his Excellency’s visit. On this occasion, both countries signed Joint Statement on Perspectives of Bilateral Relations.
The relations continued to grow following these visits and acquired a regional dimension in the wake of the happenings in Afghanistan on which both countries have unanimity of views. During the tenure of the present PPP government both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Reza Gilani have visited Kazakhstan. Pakistan and Kazakhstan support each other in various international and regional organizations.
Kazakhstan views with sympathy Pakistan’s standpoint on Kashmir and has a great appreciation for Pakistan’s role in the War on Terror. In addition to the strengthening political contacts between the two countries, there has been significant development in cooperation in the fields of energy, agriculture, science, and technology.
Both countries are cooperating in medium and small-scale industries, scientific research, upgrading and modernization of infrastructural facilities as well as training programs. A major advance that has materialized in the formation of the Joint Economic Commission to boost economic ties.
The number of bilateral documents exceeds thirty including interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements, which have laid down a solid foundation for a long-term partnership. A number of Pakistanis are working in Kazakhstan and earning goodwill for the country.
It is a fact that both countries have been able to continue their cooperative relationship despite hindrances. It is to be hoped that the depth and breadth of this relationship will continue to tap the possibilities that arise in the future.
This commemorative publication celebrates and records the ever-growing Pak-Kazakh relationship. It documents this happy journey of friendship and goodwill. We regard this work as a labor of love we could not have completed without the excellent cooperation of our Kazakh counterparts. We plan to translate the book subsequently into the official languages of Pakistan and Kazakhstan for wider readership and understanding.
