The Institute of Regional Studies and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting jointly hosted a reception at the Pak-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad to welcome a Kazakhstan media delegation, opening a platform for deeper Pakistan Kazakhstan engagement and sustained media cooperation.
Ataullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, and H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, addressed the gathering alongside Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President IRS; Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed; and Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Tourism, underscoring the priority both governments attach to strengthened ties.
Speakers from academia and the media highlighted the renewed momentum in bilateral relations. Contributions from Dr. Adam Saud of Bahria University, Dr. Taraq Waheed of SZABIST, senior anchors Shaukat Paracha and Farooq Hassan, and Kazakh journalist Yargali emphasised how enhanced media exchanges can support mutual understanding and public diplomacy between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
The reception drew a wide array of participants including policymakers and senior officials such as Farah Naz Akbar, Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training; Shamaila Rana, Member of the National Assembly; Ashfaq Ahmad Khalid, Secretary Information; and Raisa Adil, Executive Director General, External Publicity Wing, MoIB, reflecting broad interest across government, academia and the press.
Mr. Tarar stressed the strategic importance of Pakistan Kazakhstan relations and urged broader cooperation across energy, culture, tourism, trade, education, science and technology, media and people-to-people ties. He noted that the recent visit by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and upcoming agreements and memoranda of understanding will help translate intent into actionable projects that benefit both countries.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed framed Pakistan’s outreach to Kazakhstan as central to a wider engagement with Central Asia, highlighting Pakistan’s geostrategic role as a gateway linking the region to South Asia and beyond. He also commended Ambassador Kistafin for proactive diplomacy that has reinforced mutual trust.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem reiterated that Pakistan’s deepening engagement with Central Asia, particularly Kazakhstan, aims to expand transport connectivity and trade corridors, and to move beyond parallel bilateral links into issue-based cooperation that includes multiple regional partners on connectivity, energy security and trade facilitation.
Participants expressed optimism that strengthened media links and the planned bilateral initiatives will deepen collaboration across sectors and advance a shared vision for long-term partnership and regional connectivity between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
