The Pakistan National Day Reception was held in Astana on 29 March 2017 at President Rixos Hotel Astana.

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

H.E. Akylbek Kamaldinov, Deputy Foreign Minister, represented the Government Kazakhstan on the occasion.

Ambassador Abdul Salik Khan highlighting the importance of 23rd March said that Seventy seven years ago the Muslims of the South Asian Subcontinent under the leadership of Quaid–e–Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah the founding father of Pakistan, collectively resolved to carve out a separate homeland for themselves where they could live in accordance with their own traditions, values and culture.

The Ambassador said that Pakistan today is a democratic republic of nearly 200 million people. We have not only an enthusiastic parliament, an independent judiciary, and free media, but also a vibrant civil society.

The Ambassador mentioned that we are grateful to Allah that today the people of Pakistan have regained their lost identity. While during the last three years the Army, security agencies and people have rendered sacrifices to make Pakistan a cradle of peace, the government has maintained its focus on accelerating economic prosperity and progress. Pakistan’s GDP growth has increased from an average of around 3% over the past few years to 4.71% last financial year and is expected to further grow this year.

The Ambassador said that Pakistan strongly believes in regional integration and connectivity. The recently held 13th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Islamabad is a testimony to our commitment to regional cooperation. Participation by Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan H.E.Mr. Askar Myrzakhmetov in the Summit, was highly appreciated.

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 testimony to the vision of its leadership the Ambassador said.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Akelbek Kamaldinov said this year Republic of Kazakhstan and Pakistan are celebrating the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations.

The Deputy Foreign Minister underlined that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Pakistan cooperation in the political, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian and other spheres, has been developing in the spirit of mutual trust and partnership. Referring to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Astana in August 2015, he said that high level meetings were held and a number of governmental and commercial agreements in economic and military-technical fields were signed. He underlined that positive development of relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan would continue to strengthen in future.

The students of the National School of Physics and Mathematics of Kazakhstan presented Pakistani cultural dance on national songs which was witnessed with great interest by the guests.