‘Quaid-I-Azam, Kazakhstan’s first president shared similar vision’

Experts analyse Nursultan Nazarbayev’s role in creating modern Kazakh nation

Pakistan’s founder Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Kazakhstan's first president Nursultan Nazarbayev shared the same visionary mind directed towards the growth and success of their nations which also contributed to the close bilateral ties between the two Muslim nations today.

This was stated by Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Akan Rakhmetullin on Friday during a joint webinar on “Leadership Phenomenon of the first president of Kazakhstan Elbasy Nazarbayev”. The webinar had been organized by the Kazakhstan Embassy and the Centre for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS).

Rakhmetullin stated that he was proud to represent Kazakhstan in Pakistan, adding that Islamabad was the fourth country to recognise Kazakhstan after it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Nazarbayev, he said, had dedicated his life to establishing a harmonious society and national unity in Kazakhstan.

The envoy said that during the early phases of independence of Kazakhstan, Nazarbayev played a critical role in restructuring and reforming the country. He created a safe and secure environment for its people.

Moreover, from 1992 – 2019, the transition from a planned economy to market economy took place, leading to the growth and prosperity seen in Kazakhstan today.

Nazarbayev created an environment conducive for economic growth and attracting foreign investment to Kazakhstan as the country has huge economic and business potential, Rakhmetullin said.

University of Punjab External Linkages Director Dr Sobia Khurram said that Kazakhstan has transformed into a modern and advanced country due to the devoted efforts of its leaders.

Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) Vice-Chancellor Engr Prof Dr Athar Mahboob stressed on the deep bilateral ties between Kazakhstan and Pakistan and stated that every leader has to be judged in the context in which they operated. Of Nazarbayev, he said that the Kazakh emerged as a strong and inspirational leader for his nation.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2020.