ISLAMABAD, Aug 10 (IN): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday appreciated the services of Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin for strengthening relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan as the envoy called on him at the Prime Minister House on completion of his diplomatic assignment.The Prime Minister said Ambassador Kistafin played an important role in taking bilateral relations forward, particularly in arranging the landmark visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Pakistan in February 2026.
The visit marked a major development in ties between the two countries, with Pakistan and Kazakhstan elevating their relationship to a Strategic Partnership.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan remained committed to giving greater momentum to the partnership and conveyed his warm greetings to President Tokayev. He stressed the need to translate the new strategic framework into practical cooperation, particularly in regional connectivity, trade, investment, energy and education.
He also called for stronger people-to-people contacts between the two countries, saying enhanced interaction would further deepen the longstanding bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin thanked the Prime Minister and the Pakistani government for the support and cooperation extended to him during his tenure. He expressed optimism that relations between Islamabad and Astana would continue to expand under the newly established strategic partnership.Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch also attended the meeting.
