Kazakhstan consul backs revival of flights

Highlights trade, agriculture, tourism and labour cooperation after years-long gap

ISLAMABAD:

Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Lahore Rao Khalid Mahmood on Monday lauded the deepening strategic partnership between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, termed the recent presidential visit to Pakistan a landmark development after many years, and voiced optimism that direct flights between the two countries would soon resume to further strengthen bilateral ties.

In an interview with PTV News, the honorary consul said Pakistan and Kazakhstan were entering a new chapter of growing cooperation and engagement.

He highlighted expanding opportunities in trade, investment and agriculture, as well as prospects for establishing new industries, strengthening chamber-level collaboration, promoting tourism, organising cultural festivals such as Basant, and enhancing labour exchange between the two countries. He described these recent developments as a significant milestone in deepening bilateral relations.

The honorary consul further noted that after a decade, brotherly relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan had been revived under the current government's leadership, creating fresh momentum for cooperation across multiple sectors.

Expressing optimism about the near future, he said he hoped that direct flights between the two countries would soon resume through Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which would help improve connectivity and promote people-to-people exchanges.

He also urged the Punjab government to ensure that next year's Basant festival is celebrated on a larger scale, with diplomats and foreign embassies invited to participate in order to promote cultural exchange and project a positive and healthy image of the country. He noted that this year's festival had helped present a softer and more welcoming image of Pakistan at the international level.