‘Pakistan and the Central Asian States cooperating for regional peace, development and prosperity’

Islamabad: To begin the year-long celebrations for 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Pakistan and the Central Asian Republics, Diplomatic Insight Group and Tabani Group of Companies hosted a Reception and Cake Cutting Ceremony in Islamabad.

Malik Ehsan Ullah Tiwana, Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs was the Chief Guest. Ambassadors of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, Acting High Commissioner of Malaysia, diplomats from Romania, Belarus, and business executives from different backgrounds participated in the event. While speaking on the occasion, Malik Ehsan Ullah Tiwana said that Pakistan gives top priority to Central Asian countries.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is on a three-day official visit to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran for consultation on the Afghan crisis. Pakistan is offering opportunities for Central Asian states and vice versa for outreach through Gawadar port to global markets and beyond. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of Turkmenistan and Dean of Diplomatic Corps Atadjan Movlamov shared the fact that both Pakistan and all the Central Asian states are important stakeholders in regional peace and prosperity. Turkmenistan and Pakistan are working together for TAPI gas pipeline project and once completed, will be a peace pipeline for the entire region. The Ambassador of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Kistafin said that Kazakhstan values its friendship with Pakistan. He said that there is a strong need to transform the great historical past into a bright future amongst the states. Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan Ulbanbek Totuiaev said that Kyrgyzstan attaches great importance to the development of trade and economic cooperation with Pakistan. The Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan also informed about the broad investment and tourism opportunities for his country and invited the business circles of Pakistan to cooperate. A cake-cutting ceremony followed the event.