Islamabad strengthens bilateral ties with Kazakhstan, Turkey

Islamabad has further strengthened its ties with Kazakhstan and Turkey in recent weeks, according to the Foreign Office's weekly briefing on Friday. 

A 13-member delegation from Kazakhstan called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari besides holding comprehensive talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The two sides reviewed an entire spectrum of bilateral relations, especially in the information and technology sector. The two countries also signed an action plan, which provides structured roadmap for collaboration in diverse fields. 

The agreement was signed after dialogue between Dar and his Kazakh counterpart Murat Nurtleu. Both leaders directed their respective teams to fast-track negotiations on agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs), expected to be finalised in time for Kazakhstan president's upcoming visit.

Separately, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Minister of National Defence Yasir Güler arrived in Islamabad for an official visit to Pakistan. The delagation called on Shehbaz and held meetings with Defence Minister Khwaja Asif and Field Marshal Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Asim Munir.

The two sides shared their commitment to each other and held talks in all areas of mutual interest, according to the FO. 

The weekly press briefing began with FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan addressing Israel's recent strike in Qatar's Doha. The spokesperson reiterated Pakistans allegiance to protecting the soverignty of Qatar. He further underscored Shehbaz's recent visit to Qatar in solidarity against Israeli agression as well as permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikar Ahmad's speech before the United Nations Security Council, wherein Ahmad called out Israel's systemic disgard for international law. 

Khan also addressed the ongoing situation in Nepal expressing deep sorrow for the loss of life during protests. "We trust that the resilience of the Nepali people will help shape a future marked by harmony and renewed hope," he said, offering condolences to bereaved families and those injured. 

The FO further reiteriated Islamabad's dedication to the Kashmiri people and their right to self determination, condemning India's ongoing aggression in Kashmir. The spokesperson regretted the denial of bail to Kashmiri leader Shabir Ahmed Shah.

Moreover, he condemned the decision taken in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) to takeover 215 private schools.