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Pakistan-Kazakhstan Relations

6 minutes read

Pakistan-Kazakhstan Relations

6 minutes read

NHS Media conducted an interview with H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, to discuss bilateral relations.

Key Points:

  • Positive political dialogue and good relations have developed between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
  • Kazakhstan aims to play a role as a bridge connecting East and West as both Kazakhstan and Pakistan are integral parts of the BRI.
  • Kazakhstan sees potential for collaboration in sectors like agriculture, tourism, and mining. Both countries can learn from each other’s experiences and expertise. Pakistan’s focus on digital transformation centers aligns with Kazakhstan’s IT sector development.
  • Both countries aim to connect the region and foster economic growth through collaboration. Building trust and information sharing are crucial for enhancing economic ties.

NHS Media asked if this is indeed a crucial year in the history of Kazakhstan, marking 30 years of independence; could you share your thoughts on how far Pakistan and Kazakhstan have come in these years?

H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin said that our political dialogue has developed very positively. Our leadership has met regularly, with Prime Minister Imran Khan visiting Kazakhstan. Last year, he participated in the CICA Regional Forum in Egypt, dedicated to cooperation and security in our region. We have an excellent dialogue, but there’s room for improvement in practical terms. Bilateral trade and interaction between our authorities have growth potential. We’ve been working to strengthen collaboration in various areas, including sports diplomacy, cultural ties, and more. The potential for cooperation is vast, with complementary strengths on both sides.

NHS Media, while talking about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), asked if China has initiated numerous projects worth billions of dollars in Kazakhstan, and Pakistan also has the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Do you see the BRI as a means to connect the region further, given the substantial investments in both countries?

H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin responded, indeed, regional connectivity is crucial, and both Kazakhstan and Pakistan have significant roles to play. Kazakhstan has historically served as a bridge connecting East and West, and we aim to enhance this role through our Transit and Export potential. We’re focused on international transport corridors, such as the Trans-Caspian and North-South Corridors. President Xi Jinping announced the BRI idea ten years ago during his visit to Kazakhstan, and both Kazakhstan and Pakistan are integral parts of the BRI. The potential for interconnected projects is substantial, and such connectivity would benefit not only our two countries but also the entire region.

NHS Media inquired if Pakistan is currently facing significant challenges, as evidenced by President Arif Alvi’s State of the Union Address, where he emphasized the ten years of industrialization. How do you view this address and the potential for Pakistan’s industrialization? What lessons can Kazakhstan offer in this regard?

H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin said that President Alvi’s focus on citizen-oriented industrialization is commendable. Pakistan has substantial potential in areas like agriculture, tourism, and mining, and Kazakhstan, as the ninth-largest country globally, can offer valuable lessons. We believe we can serve as a food basket for the region, ensuring food security across Eurasian markets. We’re also actively developing our textile and pharmaceutical industries. In these areas, Pakistan’s experience and expertise can be beneficial. It’s a complementary cooperation where both countries can learn from each other.

NHS Media asked if President Alvi also mentioned digital transformation centers. Could you elaborate on these centers and how the youth in Kazakhstan is getting involved?

H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin stated that we have established regional IT hubs in collaboration with the Astana International Financial Center, with the aim of developing the IT industry and related sectors. The idea is to replicate this model in other regions to help young people develop IT knowledge and professional skills. We want to engage Pakistani youth and create opportunities for collaboration in this field.

NHS Media questioned if Pakistan has a large youth population, approximately 65%. How can the youth in both countries collaborate and engage more actively?

H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin responded that he has seen many Pakistani students graduate from our universities, mainly in medical fields. We are also promoting sports diplomacy, with athletes and players visiting each other’s countries regularly. Additionally, we’re exploring opportunities to establish martial arts academies in Pakistan, fostering people-to-people ties. These interactions help our youth understand each other’s countries better.

NHS Media, while discussing the recent development of direct flights between Almaty and Lahore, asked how you see this improving connectivity, and what are the future plans for these flights?

H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin said that direct flights are essential for enhancing connectivity and fostering business and tourism. We’ve initiated flights between Almaty and Lahore, which take only two and a half hours. These flights facilitate business and tourism, and we are increasing their frequency to twice a week, with plans to expand to four times a week in the near future. We have already witnessed positive results from these flights, attracting tourists and businesspeople from both sides.

NHS Media asked about The Transit and Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Kazakhstan which has been under discussion. Do you believe there’s potential for this agreement to materialize, and how can it boost trade between our countries?

H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin said that negotiations on the Transit Trade Agreement began in 2021, and we hope to sign it by the end of this year. This agreement will provide a legal framework to boost bilateral trade. It’s essential to create trust and facilitate more information sharing between our business communities. We’re inviting Pakistani companies to explore business and investment opportunities in Kazakhstan, and vice versa. Our goal is to build bridges and connect our nations for mutual benefit.

NHS Media asked if academic cooperation can play a significant role in strengthening ties between countries. Have you observed any academic collaborations between universities in Pakistan and Kazakhstan?

H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin said that we have been working on establishing direct ties between our universities. Leading Pakistani universities have signed multiple memoranda of understanding with Kazakh universities. We’re planning to arrange visits of Pakistani universities to Kazakhstan to further develop academic cooperation.

NHS Media also raised the question that security cooperation is crucial in today’s world. How do you see the military collaboration between Kazakhstan and Pakistan, particularly in countering terrorism?

H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin said that Military cooperation is well-developed, and Pakistan’s experience in counterterrorism is valuable. We regularly conduct joint drills and exchange visits between our defense universities. This cooperation extends to areas like military-technical collaboration, with the potential for enhancing ties in the defense industry.

NHS Media asked what message you would like to convey to the people of Pakistan.

H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin said that I would like to emphasize that Kazakhstan and Pakistan share a deep bond as brotherly nations. We have immense potential for collaboration, and it’s time to rekindle and strengthen our relations. By working together, we can connect our region, foster economic growth, and create a successful future for both nations and the entire region.

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