- A reception held in honor of a visiting Kazakhstan Media Delegation underscored the growing momentum in bilateral relations, with senior officials and experts highlighting the strategic imperative of deeper collaboration between Islamabad and Astana.
ISLAMABAD – The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB), hosted a reception for a Kazakhstan Media Delegation at the Pak-China Friendship Centre on Thursday. The event brought together government officials, diplomats, media professionals, and academics to discuss pathways for strengthening the Pakistan-Kazakhstan partnership.
Key speakers included Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mr. Ataullah Tarar, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Mr. Yerzhan Kistafin, IRS President Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, and Mr. Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Tourism.
The reception served as a platform to emphasize the critical role of media and people-to-people connections in fostering mutual understanding and advancing shared strategic interests.
Officials Outline a Vision for Multi-Sectoral Collaboration
In his keynote address, Federal Minister Ataullah Tarar highlighted the strategic importance of Pakistan-Kazakhstan relations, advocating for sustained cooperation in energy, trade, tourism, and technology. He linked the current diplomatic momentum to the recent successful state visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
“The two governments are finalizing several agreements and MoUs to translate our shared vision into tangible outcomes,” Tarar stated. “These initiatives are designed to elevate our bilateral relations to a new level of partnership.”
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed framed the relationship as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s “Vision Central Asia.” He praised Kazakhstan’s role in regional stability and connectivity and lauded Ambassador Kistafin’s diplomatic efforts in deepening ties. “Pakistan’s geostrategic position makes it a natural gateway for Central Asia to access global markets,” Sayed noted.
Academics, Journalists Highlight Growing Bilateral Momentum
Prominent voices from academia and media echoed the officials’ sentiments, analyzing the relationship’s potential. Panelists included Dr. Adam Saud of Bahria University, Dr. Taraq Waheed of SZABIST, senior journalists Mr. Shaukat Paracha and Mr. Farooq Hassan, and Kazakh journalist Mr. Yargali.
They discussed the growing importance of robust Pakistan-Kazakhstan ties in an era of renewed bilateral engagement, emphasizing the media’s power to shape public perception and build bridges between the two societies.
A Forward-Looking Agenda: From Diplomacy to Connectivity
In his welcome remarks, IRS President Ambassador Jauhar Saleem articulated a forward-looking vision. “Pakistan’s outreach to Central Asia, particularly Kazakhstan, is part of a broader strategy to enhance regional connectivity,” he said.
He emphasized moving beyond traditional diplomacy toward concrete, issue-based cooperation in connectivity, energy security, and trade facilitation, potentially involving multilateral formats with other Central Asian partners.
The event was attended by a diverse group of distinguished guests, including Parliamentary Secretary Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, Ms. Shamaila Rana (MNA), Information Secretary Mr. Ashfaq Ahmad Khalid, and Ms. Raisa Adil, Executive Director General of the MoIB’s External Publicity Wing.
The gathering reflected a broad-based consensus on the strategic value of the Pakistan-Kazakhstan relationship and a shared commitment to leveraging media, diplomacy, and economic partnerships for a more interconnected future.
BY: The Times Union
