BAHAWALPUR: Yerzhan Kistafin, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, during a one-day visit to Bahawalpur called for enhanced trade ties between the two countries.
He went to a conference at Al-Zamir on Wednesday, where he was informed about the history of the area and its significance in terms of potential opportunities for cooperation between Kazakhstan and Pakistan.
Kistafin met with David Dowdles, the Principal of Sadiq Public School Bahawalpur, and Dr Jawad Iqbal, the dean of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, and discussed opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the education sector.
He also met Liaqat Gilani, who is Director Cholistan Development Authority. He briefed him about the region’s rich history and the indigenous products.
The meeting was attended by the general consul of Kazakhstan in Lahore, Rao Khalid Khan, the director of media and publications at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Shahzad Ahmad Khalid, senior journalist Baqa-ul-Mohsin, and the former president of the Bahawalpur Press Club, Naseer Ahmad Nasir. The Nawab of Bahawalpur, Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi’s services to Pakistan and the history of Bahawalpur State were presented to the Kazakh ambassador on his later visit to Noor Mahal.
He also attended a dinner hosted by the Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), where he was welcomed and given a presentation about the history and function of the organization by Zulfiqar Maan, president of the Chamber.
The Kazakh representative remarked, “Both countries have rich potential to benefit from each other in various sectors.” He stressed that direct flights between the two nations would soon begin, further strengthening the already strong bilateral relations.
He said the Kazakhstan House was established in Lahore to facilitate the Pakistani people. He added that a Business Council was being established to improve trade between nations.
Speaking at the event, Rao Khalid Khan, Consul General Kazakhstan Consulate Lahore, said that many indigenous Agri-Pakistani products were in massive demand in Kazakhstan. He noted that Kazakhstan needed access to water and could use Gwadar ports in Karachi for trade with Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.–APP
