The Pakistan National Day Reception was held in Astana on 24 March 2016 at Beijing Palace Soluxe Hotel Astana.

A large number of Kazakh dignitaries, members of the diplomatic corps and Pakistani community living in Kazakhstan attended the Reception.

H.E. Galmzhan Koishybayev Telmanovich represented the Kazakh Government on the occasion.

Ambassador Abdul Salik Khan highlighting the importance of 23rd March said that this day 76 years ago Muslims of the South Asian subcontinent under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah gathered to launch a resolved to struggle for an independent state based on principles of equality and justice. He mentioned that millions of people sacrificed their lives to realize the dream of Pakistan that came into being on 14 August 1947.

The Ambassador said that Pakistan and Kazakhstan enjoy excellent bilateral relations, economic complementarities and converging views on regional and international matters. Pakistan shares commitment for promoting peace, progress and prosperity in the region, the Ambassador added.

The Ambassador mentioned that we were highly impressed by the socio-economic development of Kazakhstan under the visionary leadership of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Kazakhstan’s rising stature in the international community is a testament to the vision of its leadership the Ambassador said.

The Ambassador highlighting that the guiding principle of the Government of Pakistan’s foreign policy is to work for creation of a peaceful neighborhood. We are keen to have friendly ties with all countries of the world particularly with our neighbors the Ambassador mentioned. The Government of Pakistan is also determined to eradicate the scourge of terrorism and extremism from its soil, the Ambassador said. Our resolve has helped achieve remarkable success in Operation Zarb-e-Azb, and committed to realize our vision of peace, development and prosperity the Ambassador added.

H.E. Galmzhan Koishybayev Telmanovich greeting the Government and people of Pakistan on the occasion expressed that Kazakhstan enjoy excellent friendly relations with Pakistan. He hoped that in near future more substantive cooperation would materialize as a follow up of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Astana in August last year and the 8th Session of the Intergovernmental Commission that was held last year.

The Embassy on this occasion in coordination with the students of Kazakh National University of Arts, Astana, arranged a Pakistani cultural dance and Pakistani dress show which was witnessed with great interest by the guests.