Islamabad, October 25, 2024 – The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted a grand event in Islamabad to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Sovereignty by the Supreme Council of the Republic.
The event’s distinguished guests included the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, the Minister for Communications, Privatization and Investment Board, Abdul Aleem Khan, and the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Culture and National Heritage, Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Syed Tariq Fatemi.
Diplomatic corps members, officials, business leaders, academics, experts, and prominent Pakistani media representatives were invited to the reception.
In his welcoming address, Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin highlighted the outcomes of 2024, emphasizing Kazakhstan’s active role on the international stage and the key Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) events recently held in Astana and Islamabad.
” Republic Day is a day of immense importance in the history of Kazakhstan. It symbolizes the beginning of our journey toward state sovereignty and the consolidation of our independence. Over the past three decades, Kazakhstan has developed dynamically, with a strong focus on socio-economic and foreign policy aspects,Ambassador shed light on the importance of the day.
Mr. Kistafin also highlighted some key achievements in Kazakhstan’s development. He shared , “In 2023, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade volume amounted to $139.8 billion (exports of 78.7 billion, imports of 61.1 billion) marking a 3.2% increase year-on-year. Since 1993, Kazakhstan has attracted a total of 441 billion dollars in foreign direct investments (FDI). Top 10 investors since 2005 are the Netherlands, the USA, Switzerland, China, Russia, France, the UK, Belgium, the Republic of Korea, and Japan.”
According to the FDI Intelligence ranking of the best markets for investment in emerging markets in 2024, Kazakhstan took 6th place in terms of the dynamics of attracting foreign direct investment.
The Chairman Senate and the ministers in their addresses, underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Pakistan, expressing their interest in further enhancing the multifaceted partnership between Astana and Islamabad, while emphasizing the need to foster cooperation at both bilateral and inter-regional levels.
Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani spoke highly about relations with Kazakhstan. He said , bilateral relations are extremely important and based on mutual respect and desire for enduring partnership and Pakistan is looking forward to further strengthen bilateral ties with this great nation in business, trade, energy and other sectors.
The event welcomed children with disabilities and special needs from the Care for Special Persons Foundation as special guests. Serena Hotel’s CEO Aziz Boolani, and the Foundation’s head, Hina Hasnain, spoke about the organization’s activities and showcased its main areas of focus.
An auction was held as part of the event, featuring handcrafted items made by the Foundation’s special students. The proceeds from the auction were given to support the Foundation.
Ambassador extended a special thank to Mr. Aziz Boolani, CEO of Serena Hotel, for his unwavering support in co-organizing this event.
Pakistan in the World – May/June 2024
