Bilateral ties: Gilani arrives in Kazakhstan

ASTANA: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani arrived here on a two-day official visit to hold talks with the Kazakh leadership on various issues including trade and energy.  Gilani was received at the Astana International Airport by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Azat Bekturov, and co-chairman of the Pak-Kazakh Commission. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan Muhammad Akhtar Tufail and Kazakh Ambassador in Pakistan Aidar Jundyayeb were also present at the occasion. The premier’s entourage included Punjab Governor Latif Khosa, Minister for Production Anwar Ali Cheema and Qamar Zaman Kaira. Ambassador Tufail said that Gilani’s visit will help resume bilateral ties between the two countries after 16 years and pointed to the recent interest shown by the Kazakh government to join the TAPI, the proposed gas pipeline between Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.  He said Kazakhstan was also interested in exploring the potential of Gwadar seaport.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th,  2011.