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Pakistani
Ambassador to Kazakhstan Focuses on Air and Land
Connectivity, Seeks Stronger Economic Ties
in EURASIA & WORLD
on 25 AUGUST 2015
Despite the distance, Kazakhstan and Pakistan have much
in common. The states are nearly unanimous in virtually
all international issues and have great opportunities in
the development of the Pakistan-China-Kazakhstan trade
corridor, Ambassador of Pakistan in Astana Abdul Salik
Khan said.
“First of all, I congratulate the Kazakhstan people on
the 550th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate and 20th
anniversary of the Kazakhstan Constitution!” he said in
an Aug. 27 interview.
“Pakistan and Kazakhstan have almost a unity of views on
almost all international issues and coordinate with each
other well. We deeply appreciate Kazakhstan for its
support of our full membership in the Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation. The Central Asia region and
Kazakhstan particularly is a very important country for
us and our government understands that our countries are
linked together, having cultural, economic and religious
ties during the centuries. The peoples of the Central
Asia region are well known in our country. We have
thousands of people who have origins in Central Asia.
This is the historical background of such
relationships,” Khan added.
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Pakistan
twice, in 1992 and 2003, while the prime ministers of
Pakistan came to Kazakhstan in 1995, 2001 and 2011. Both
counties have excellent relationships.
In 2014, the total volume of bilateral trade between the
countries amounted to $33.6 million. The major products
exported from Pakistan were mandarins and other fruits,
medicines, medical equipment, potatoes, sugar and
textile items. Kazakhstan exported iron and steel
products and machinery parts.
“Since my arrival here, I have focused on the air and
land connectivity of both states in general and traffic
between Pakistan, China and Kazakhstan. This link is
very important. As of today, there is no traffic, but in
the future I hope we will have a lot of traffic and this
economic corridor will be very profitable for all sides
and positively contribute to our relationships. I would
like to emphasise that it will bring prosperity to the
region. I am sure that it will not only strengthen
political relations but strengthen people-to-people
relations,” said the ambassador.
Khan noted he had some ideas about Kazakhstan, and
Astana in particular, before coming to the city.
“I imagined a huge land and very small population. Very
cold! But when I came to Astana, I was astonished and
pleasantly surprised by the level of development. I
liked Astana, the newest capital of the world. The
climate is extreme, but all facilities and an effective
heating system make living in Astana very comfortable.
Kazakh people are very warm and similar to Pakistan. I
feel very comfortable here. Of course, all these,
including the fast development of the state and the
city, are thanks to the Kazakhstan president.”
Khan noted the National Day of Pakistan was celebrated
on March 23 with fervour and enthusiasm. The Pakistani
flag was hoisted at the embassy residence in the morning
and messages from the President and Prime Minister,
received on the occasion, were read. Many members of the
Pakistani community, embassy officers and staff along
with their family members attended the event.
The Pakistani Ambassador said his country want to
develop tourism in Kazakhstan because Pakistan offers
Kazakhs an array of attractions, including beautiful
places with high mountain peaks and rapid rivers,
heritage sites, ancient Islamic architecture, delicious
national cuisine and fruits.
The Pakistan embassy staff is currently working to add
detailed information about the nation’s culture for
Kazakhstan tourists. Khan noted that despite the fact
Pakistan is a very young state, it is very ancient and
has many places to visit. |
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