PHOTO: APP
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday after wrapping up his two-day official visit to Kazakhstan.
The leadership of the two countries expressed mutual resolve to further strengthen bilateral trade, investment and build long-term economic cooperation between the two countries.
According to a joint statement issued after the visit of PM Nawaz, the two nations would cooperate in the field of energy such as oil and gas, civil nuclear cooperation and renewable energy.
The two sides confirmed that the 8th session of Inter-governmental Kazakhstan-Pakistan Commission on trade and economic, scientific and technical and cultural cooperation will be held in Astana on October 29-30 this year.
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Premier Nawaz underlined the importance of setting-up of Joint Business Council and enhancing cooperation in the field of defence.
The Republic of Kazakhstan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, taking into account considerable transit and transport potential of both countries, attach great importance to enhancing cooperation in the field of transport and communications.
In light of the New Economic Policy ‘Nurly Zhol’ (The Bright Road), President Nazarbayev acknowledged the potential of the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project for the economic upliftment of the region.
The two sides noted that one of the potential links between Astana and Islamabad could be established through connection of railways Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran and Pakistan-Iran-Turkey.
The two leaders expressed intention to develop regular exchange between organisations, artists, research centers, educational institutions, mass media, and to intensify cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture, art, tourism and sports, the joint communiqué said.
Premier Nawaz congratulated President Nazarbayev and the people of Kazakhstan on the occasion of the 550th Anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate and the 20th Anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The prime minister highlighted the impressive political and economic advancement of Kazakhstan and its growing role in the promotion of regional stability and development.
The joint communique said the two sides reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen cooperation on prevention and peaceful resolution of international conflicts, and to counter challenges posed by terrorism, disasters and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
They underscored the importance of coordination among all stakeholders in preparing the Fifth Ministerial Conference in Islamabad in December 2015, within the framework of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process.
Kazakh president expressed full confidence in successful hosting of this forthcoming event by the government in Islamabad. The two sides acknowledged their obligations as co-lead countries on Confidence Building Measures in Disaster Management under Istanbul Process.
Premier Nawaz conveyed his gratitude to Kazakh president for supporting Pakistan’s candidature for non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council in 2012-2013 and reiterated support for Kazakhstan’s candidature for the non-permanent seat of the UNSC in 2017-18.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2015.
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