https://twitter.com/home https://www.facebook.com/Shabbir.Hussain191By Shabbir Hussain
ISLAMABAD, May 27 (Alliance News): Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening ties with Pakistan, recognizing Islamabad’s strategic location as a vital trade corridor for Central Asia.
Speaking at a book launch event hosted by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), Ambassador Kistafin emphasized the importance of regional cooperation. The book, “Examining the Feasibility of an East-West Economic Corridor for South and Central Asia: Views from India and Pakistan,” is a joint effort by IPRI, the RAND Corporation (USA), and India’s IMPRI.
He highlighted that Pakistan holds a key position as a bridge between landlocked Central Asian states and global markets. “Kazakhstan values its 35-year relationship with Pakistan and seeks to strengthen cooperation in various sectors,” he said.
The ambassador noted that leaders on both sides are committed to boosting bilateral ties and improving trade routes. “Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in Central Asia and sees Pakistan’s ports, including Gwadar, Karachi, and Port Qasim, as essential gateways to global markets,” he added.
He also mentioned regional efforts to enhance connectivity through links with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan. “Post-2021, the situation in Afghanistan has stabilized, making it a critical partner in regional cooperation,” he observed.
Ambassador Kistafin shared that a recent high-level Kazakh trade delegation visited Karachi, resulting in agreements worth over $200 million, a clear indicator of growing bilateral interest.
However, he identified two main challenges: poor communication and weak connectivity. To overcome these, he called for enhanced collaboration between the media and business sectors of both nations.
“We need to close the communication gap and boost media engagement to support people-to-people contacts and long-term economic cooperation,” he stressed.
He concluded that deeper regional integration involving Pakistan could open new economic corridors benefiting South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
