Border closure hits Kazak trade

Envoy takes up issue with Sana

ISLAMABAD:

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Senator Rana Sanaullah and Kazakhstan's Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin on Wednesday discussed matters of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation between both the countries.

The Kazakh ambassador pointed out that bilateral trade and transportation are currently facing challenges due to the closure of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, which has disrupted regional connectivity.

Responding to this, Senator Rana Sanaullah said Pakistan had made every possible effort to resolve issues with Afghanistan, but the Afghan regime had not shown willingness to cooperate.

He stressed that Pakistan has made countless sacrifices for Afghanistan and hosted millions of Afghan citizens, yet it is regrettable that Afghan soil continues to be used to support elements involved in terrorism in Pakistan. He firmly said that Pakistan will not allow any form of terrorism on its soil.

The Kazakh ambassador reiterated that Pakistan is an important strategic partner for Kazakhstan and expressed his country's desire to expand cooperation with Pakistan in sports, education, agriculture, medicine, culture, and other sectors.

He noted that prior to the border closure, both countries had been working on the Pakistan-Kazakhstan railway connectivity project, aimed at significantly boosting bilateral trade.

He expressed hope that once conditions improve, these projects will resume and usher in a new era of cooperation between the two nations.

Highlighting the current state of bilateral trade, the Kazakh ambassador noted that Pakistan exports agricultural products such as oranges, mangoes, onions, surgical instruments, and various other goods to Kazakhstan. He emphasized the significance of this trade cooperation for both countries.

Sanaullah, who also holds the portfolio of the IPC Ministry, said that Pakistan's mangoes and oranges are globally recognized for their exceptional taste and quality, with no parallel worldwide. He added that Pakistan is eager to further enhance its agricultural exports.