ISLAMABAD: 08 Se- 2023 – President of Republic of Kazakhstan H.E Kassym Jomart Tokayev is moving forward gradually on what the constitutional reforms were meant for. The reforms incorporation to the constitution was accomplished in the first quarter of current year. Since then the leader of the nation is refreshing the Parliament and the Government to make them alert on the targets they have to achieve. President’s address to the Parliament on first Sep 2023 was in the same connection. This address was mainly on economic part of the reforms. Embassy of Kazakhstan in Pakistan hosted a conference in Islamabad with Intellectuals, experts, opinion makers and the media persons to discuss and analyze the main points of the address of the President.
“Economic Course of a Just Kazakhstan” was the title of the address of the President that the speakers appreciated and expressed their confidence that the leadership and the citizens of the Republic are determined to achieve the goals set in the reforms and mentioned by the President in his address.
The speakers also touched the program of political and social reforms as well as the foreign policy activities of Kazakhstan that indicate the well thought approach of building close and cordial relations with all countries of the world especially the neighbors and the states in the region. The event was attended by representatives from Pakistan’s leading media, experts, and academic circles in the capital. Amb. Dr. Raza Muhammad, President of the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), was invited as the guest of honor.
Conference speakers included Brig. Dr. Raashid Wali Janjua, Director of IPRI, Mr. Tazeen Akhtar, founder and editor at “Pakistan in the World,” Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director of the Pakistan Research Center Communities with a Shared Future (PRCCSF), and Mr. Irfan Shahzad Takalvi, President of the Eurasian Century Institute (ECI).
In his welcoming speech, Ambassador Y. Kistafin highlighted the key points of the President’s Address, particularly emphasizing several priority sectors of Kazakhstan’s economy designated by the President of the Republic as priority, including agriculture, mechanical engineering, the military-industrial complex, and the transport and logistics industry. He noted the potential for cooperation with Pakistan in these sectors, taking into account the host country’s existing experience and infrastructure.
Ambassador Y.Kistafin especially emphasized the order of the President to develop the international transport corridor “North-South”, within the framework of which the Islamic Republic can and should play an important role by ensuring access to open ocean routes for Kazakhstan and Central Asia through its seaports in Karachi and Gwadar.
The main speaker of the event, Brig. Dr. R.W. Janjua acknowledged Kazakhstan’s achievements in implementing political reforms, improving the judicial system, and establishing a balanced system of checks and balances. The speaker emphasized the continued commitment to meritocracy in public administration and the inclusiveness of the political system of Kazakhstan.
President of Kazakhstan Outlines Comprehensive Economic Reforms in State-of-the-Nation Address
Mr. Tazeen Akhtar praised Kazakhstan’s initiatives and the state’s achievements in “building a unified Kazakh nation.” He particularly highlighted innovations in the judicial system and the efforts of President K.Tokayev in the development of the social sphere, especially in school education.
He said that President Tokayev has set an example surrendering his powers to the Parliament and confining himself to only one term. Economy growth target 6-7 % does not seem hard for the government in an environment that has been made maximum conducive thanks to the economic reforms implemented by the state. Increase of lending to 20% for real sector will accelerate the industrial activism as this sector supports more than 50 other industries.
“The Republic is all set to receive huge foreign direct investments because there is complete political stability, continuation of policies, justice available and an active arbitration system as well. Small and Medium entrepreneurship is another promising phenomenon being followed by the state. One billion dollar IT exports target will not only be secured easily but it can be doubled as President in a previous address said that Kazakhstan will be made hub of IT and Digitization, Editor Tazeen Akhtar continued.
“Another visionary development is establishment of National Fund for Children. They need the attention more than the grown ups. If the kids are grown up with care and support from the state, they become useful citizens contributing their best to the society and the state, Tazeen Akhtar added.
He concluded with the line that in Kazakhstan, right person is doing the right job. It means everyone is doing one’s own duty towards the nation. This is the way the ambitious nations work and get the required results.
Mr. H. T. Akram stated that Kazakhstan’s leadership is dedicated to achieving economic self-sufficiency and self-reliance while promoting economic, social, and cultural cooperation. He focused on the progressive development of the IT sector, digitalization, and the fintech industry in Kazakhstan, predicting the emergence of Kazakhstan as a technological Hub in Central Asia.
Mr. Takalvi considers it important to implement the initiatives of President K. Tokayev both for Kazakhstan and for the entire Asian region. The speaker emphasized the social orientation of Kazakhstan’s new course; the special focus of the state on creating favorable conditions for future generations. The expert gave a positive assessment of the specific timelines outlined by the President for the implementation of the stated initiatives.
The guest of honor, Ambassador Dr. Raza Muhammad, commended Kazakhstan for its constitutional reforms, which serve as an example for countries in the region by creating a balance between state institutions and the civil society. The process of improving the justice system and effective foreign policy were noted in a positive light. He seconded the concluding line of Editor Tazeen Akhtar “Right Person for Right Job” as important point in the growth and development of the economy of Kazakhstan.
In general, the Pakistani expert community gave a positive assessment of the reforms being carried out in Kazakhstan, and the ambitious vision set out in the President’s Address to the People of Kazakhstan. They noted the need to study the Kazakh experience for its possible application in the political agenda of Pakistan. In QnA session , replying to a question about the nuclear plant and military ammunition industry , the Ambassador Y. Kistafin clarified that Kazakhstan voluntarily abandoned the nuclear arsenal in the country soon after the independence. Therefore the Republic’s Nuclear Power Plant is only for civilian energy purpose. Regarding military industry, the Ambassador answered that it is for our defense only and not against any other country.
