Pak Military Personnel the Best-Gen Nadeem’s Visit Soon -Medical Students Fee to be Reduced – Ambassador of Kazakhstan

Islamabad; 28 Jan 2021 – Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E Akan Rakhmetullin said that we are working on reducing the fee of medical students in our universities to attract more Pakistani students to our country. Presence of National Bank of Pakistan’s branch in Kazakhstan is necessary and helpful for businessman community. We hope that it will not be closed.

Pakistani military personnel are among the best in the world and we seek sharing their experiences, including in peacekeeping operations. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Pakistan General Nadeem Raza’s visit to Kazakhstan is expected soon. His visit will help enhance defence cooperation in both countries. We are looking forward to serve in UN Peacekeeping Missions and Pakistan has vast experience here too.

Visit of Kazakhstan President to Pakistan is my dream. Will be trying his best to make it.

He was speaking at a discussion on bilateral relations arranged by Pakistan in the World and Center of Pakistan and International Relations (COPAIR) here in Islamabad on 27 Jan 2021. Chairperson of COPAIR Ms Amna Malik and Chief Executive of Pakistan in the World Mr Tazeen Akhtar hosted the discussion jointly. Director General Pakistan House Mohammad Athar Javed, Dr Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, Masood Baig, Khalid Lateef, Eyab Abbasi were also present.

Ambassador cherished his stay in Pakistan long ago when he was young diplomat. He said that when he assumed the responsibility of ambassador after a long time, he observed big change in Pakistan in shape of development.

Everything in Pakistan is lovely and attractive except the summer. It is very hot. Mr Akan shared as a lighter note.

He briefed the audience on Kazakhstan-Pakistan relations’ history and threw light on the prospects of further turning already close and cordial ties into economic cooperation, trade and investments.

Mr Akan Rakhmetullin is optimistic on the increase in trade volume and business to business relations. He said that our country is open and doing business is very easy there. We welcome Pakistani business community and support their access to our markets.

For that banking facilities are necessary. We came to know that National Bank of Pakistan is closing its only branch in Kazakhstan. This branch is needed by the business community for their transactions. Therefore, we hope that the branch will continue its operations in our country.

Ambassador welcomed Pakistani students to his country for higher studies in Medical and other sectors. He said that we are working with our universities to reduce fee structures to attract more students from Pakistan.

He noted that high level visits can further boost the relations. My dream is to pave the way for the visit of our President to Pakistan.

Regarding connectivity, Ambassador noted that direct flights are the best source of connecting the people, tourists and business community. Land connectivity is also important. At present quadrilateral land route between Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, China and Kazakhstan is not active. Should be reinvigorated together. CPEC can also be supportive in this regard.

Ambassador appreciated Government, especially MOFA of Pakistan for they are always welcoming and working with them is pleasant and result oriented. This spirit is central in enhancing bilateral relations.
He emphasized that bilateral business conferences should be arranged so that the community from both countries know each other and discuss the possibilities directly. We are here to bridge gaps but the decisions can be made by them only.

Ambassador is determined to promote tourism and culture cooperation as well. He said that we will bring a bigger cultural delegation than the previous one in which three artists visited Pakistan.

As long as the tourists from Pakistan are concerned , they can select Kazakhstan only when they know about our country and the sites there very well. For that more information sharing is required and direct flights are needed. If direct flight is available , the Pakistani tourists will be astonished how early they can reach Kazakhstan like breakfast in Islamabad and Lunch in Kazakhstan.

He highlighted the efforts of Kazakhstan for regional security, stability and nuclear disarmament. He also discussed the potential of trade and investment in both countries, which remains untapped due to instability in Afghanistan. He also highlighted several areas where both countries can collaborate. Along with COPAIR staff, members of academic and think-tank community, along with media persons and students attended the session.