Islamabad, 24 February 2023 (TDI): Nauman Bashir Bhatti, Pakistan’s prospective Ambassador to Kazakhstan called on the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi.
During the meeting, the President of Pakistan urged for the improvement of trade and economic ties between Pakistan and Kazakhstan. In this vein, he noted that both nations had significant room to grow their economic and trade cooperation.
He also emphasized that the potential for trade between two friendly nations was much greater than the level of bilateral trade currently present.
Consequently, it was imperative to look into new ways to increase bilateral trade for the mutual benefit of the two nations.
Likewise, the President also stated that it was important to realize the potential for expanding trade in agricultural and agro-products.
He added that investors from Kazakhstan should be given the greatest amount of support possible in order to establish their businesses in the country’s existing Special Economic Zones.
The President explained to the Ambassador that Pakistan placed a high value on its relations with Kazakhstan because the two friendly nations had common historical and cultural roots.
In addition, he said that as part of its “Vision Central Asia” policy, Pakistan was committed to forging long-lasting and goal-oriented ties with the Central Asian Republics (CARs).
Ergo, improving regional connectivity with the CARs was a key component of Pakistan’s regional strategy. In addition, President Alvi emphasized the need to continue regional connectivity initiatives with Kazakhstan.
These initiatives include the likes of the railway connecting Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, & Iran (KTI). It is pertinent to note that he encouraged greater cooperation in higher education & stressed the importance of boosting people-to-people ties with Kazakhstan.
Also read: Pakistan, Kazakhstan reach agreement on Trade transit for increased economic cooperation
This cooperation will be through joint degrees, and student and faculty exchange programmes. Along these lines, he claimed that students from Kazakhstan could take advantage of the Virtual University of Pakistan’s (VU) affordable online courses.
Dr. Arif Alvi continued by saying that 8000 foreign students had already registered for one of VU’s many online degree programmes.
Also, he requested that the Ambassador-designate express his appreciation to Kazakhstan’s government and people for their kind assistance provided to Pakistan’s flood victims.
Furthermore, the Ambassador was requested by the President to draw attention to India’s anti-Muslim and anti-minority policies.
He particularly underscored the atrocities and violations of human rights carried out by the Indian Occupation Forces against the Muslim population of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), in this context.
He also urged the Ambassador to contribute to enhancing the image of the nation. Lastly, the President congratulated Ambassador Nauman Bashir Bhatti on his selection as Pakistan’s designated Ambassador to Kazakhstan.
Pakistan-Kazakhstan Ties
Pakistan was one of the first few nations to recognize Kazakhstan after it gained independence in December 1991.
During the official trip of the then President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev to Pakistan in 1992, diplomatic ties between the two nations were established.
Pakistan and Kazakhstan have friendly relations built on a shared perspective on global issues, mutual respect, Islamic brotherhood, and goodwill toward one another.
“I will never forget that Pakistan was one of the first countries to support our independence movement,” President Nursultan Nazarbayev said in 2015.
Pakistan offers natural land routes and connectivity to the Eurasian heartland with the Arabian Sea and South Asia because Kazakhstan is a landlocked nation.
Moreover, Kazakhstan is a growing market for goods from Pakistan. More than 35 MOUs between the two nations exist in various fields.
