President Zardari Hails Kazakh Envoy’s Role in Strengthening Pakistan-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership

Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: President Asif Ali Zardari has appreciated the services and contributions of Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin during his five-year diplomatic tenure for strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.

During a farewell meeting with the Kazakh ambassador at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President said that significant progress had been made in bilateral relations during Ambassador Kistafin’s tenure, with the historic state visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Pakistan in February 2026 marking a major milestone.

The visit was the first visit by a Kazakh president to Pakistan in 23 years and resulted in the elevation of relations between the two countries to the level of a strategic partnership, President Zardari noted.

The President emphasized the need for effective implementation of the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed during the visit, stressing that political goodwill should be translated into greater trade and investment.

He expressed confidence that, through sustained and effective engagement, the two countries could achieve the target of increasing bilateral trade to $1 billion within two years.

President Zardari highlighted vast opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, energy, mining and minerals, information technology, pharmaceuticals, textiles and defence production. He also underscored the importance of further strengthening road, rail, air and maritime connectivity between the two countries.

The President appreciated President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the Government of Kazakhstan for providing a $1 million grant to the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund. He also welcomed the establishment of the first Pakistan-Kazakhstan Artificial Intelligence Centre in Gujranwala.

Ambassador Kistafin informed the President that Kazakhstan was working to establish railway connectivity with Pakistan. He said that six sectoral working groups covering trade, transport, energy, agriculture, IT and education were already operational to advance bilateral cooperation.

The ambassador also briefed the President on Kazakhstan’s establishment of campuses of several renowned international universities, offering students from Pakistan and other countries opportunities to obtain quality international education at comparatively affordable costs. He said that around 1,000 Pakistani students were currently studying at universities in Kazakhstan.

Ambassador Kistafin further said that Kazakhstan could emerge as a significant potential market for Pakistani fruits, particularly mangoes, guavas, falsa and other fruits grown in warm climates.

President Zardari appreciated Ambassador Kistafin’s active diplomatic engagement and efforts with the government, business community and educational institutions to further strengthen bilateral relations.

The President conveyed his warm greetings and best wishes to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and prayed for the ambassador’s success in his future endeavours.