ISLAMABAD, DEC 15 (DNA) – Ambassador of Kazakhstan Barlybay Sadykov hosted a colourful and grand reception to mark 27th Anniversary of Independence Day in Islamabad.

Beautifully decorated venue coupled with traditional Kazakh cuisines ostensibly added color to the event. A musical performance by Kazakhstan artists was yet another feature of the event that greatly entertained the audience.

Federal Minister of Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi who was the chief guest on the occasion, could not resist himself from praising the mesmerizing performances of the artists, when he came on the podium to deliver his remarks.

The minister rightfully thanked the Ambassador of Kazakhstan for bringing the music group to Pakistan and thus providing people with a chance to enjoy splendid Kazakh songs.

Ambassador of Kazakhstan also spoke on the occasion. He thanked the audience for attending the function in large number.

While giving an abridged account of bilateral relations, the ambassador said in twenty seven years of independence, poverty in Kazakhstan has been reduced to 2.7 per cent in 2017, the literacy rate is one of the highest in the world and the country is also one of the biggest oil suppliers in the world.

He acknowledged how Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan, something which the Ambassador said still resides in the hearts and memories of the Kazakh people.

Leadership of Pakistan has always paid great attention to Kazakh foreign policy he said. One of the important hallmarks of the bilateral relationship with Pakistan is the decision taking at the Astana Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) where Pakistan was given full membership of the organization in 2017.

He also underlined the excellent cooperation between the two countries in the military sphere where the main areas of cooperation at the moment are military education and military technical cooperation.

He said that Kazakhstan was interested in training its military personnel in Pakistan as well and hoped that the new Pakistani government would continue to maintain good relations as have predecessor governments.

Pakistan, one of the first countries to recognize Kazakhstan’s independence and establish bilateral relations, shares a common vision of peace and security in the region.

Both countries have been collaborating at an international level as well – each country has supported the other at various fora such as membership in the Security Council.

He wished to take these relations forward with same spirit and enthusiasm. Later the ambassador along with the chief guest and colleagues cut cake. National anthems of both countries were also played before cake cutting.=DNA

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