A reception was held on 20 November 2017 at the St. Ridges Hotel Astana to celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan and the 70th anniversary of Independence Day of Pakistan.
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 of Kazakhstan on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Abdul Salik Khan congratulated the government and people of Kazakhstan for the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan being celebrated this year.
The Ambassador highlighted that Pakistan and Kazakhstan had always enjoyed close and cordial brotherly relations bound by our common values, geography, history and culture. The two countries enjoy broad consensus on a wide range of critical regional and international issues. We support and respect the principles and objectives of each other’s policies. Forged on principles of friendship and mutual respect, peoples of Pakistan and Kazakhstan, aim to propel bilateral ties to a high level of partnership.
He appreciated the constructive role Kazakhstan is playing in Heart of Asia Process and in Astana Process. We also admire the active role of Kazakhstan for international peace and security as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The Ambassador highlighted the special significance of year 2017 for us, as it marks the 70th anniversary of the Independence of Pakistan. Seventy years ago the Muslims of the South Asian Subcontinent under the leadership of Quaid–e–Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan, were able to get a separate independent 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 207 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 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.
The Chief Guest, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Akelbek Kamaldinov, congratulated government and people of Pakistan on celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of establishment of the diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Pakistan as well as the 70th Independence Day of Pakistan.
He further said that for Kazakhstan, Pakistan is an important partner in the region. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries, the cooperation in political, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian and other spheres had been developing in the spirit of mutual trust and partnership.
He highlighted the Prime Ministerial and Presidential visit this year from Pakistan and congratulated Pakistan for becoming the full member of the SCO.