PM leaves for Kazakhstan on two-day official visit

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had once again approached Fazl to arrange a meeting between the MQM leaders and the prime minister to discuss the party’s demands for withdrawing their resignations after the party’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Farooq Sattar complained that the prime minister did not meet his party’s delegation during his day-long visit to Karachi on Thursday.

Pakistan values its close and brotherly relations with Kazakhstan and their ties are marked by cordiality and cooperation in diverse fields, it added. In particular, the prospects for intensification of Kazakh-Pakistani cooperation in investment, energy sector, agriculture, as well as the possibility of using transit-transport potential of the two countries.

A six-member MQM delegation had a meeting with Nawaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House, according to an official handout.

The Prime Minister said the operation against criminal elements in Karachi was launched with the consensus of all stakeholders and results of the operation are visible.

The two countries share common views on major regional and global issues and cooperate closely in multilateral forums including the UN, SCO, ECO and OIC, it said. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan viewed Kazakhstan as an important state in the region.

He said unforgiveable crime of terrorism can not be tolerated. Even the worldwide community has appreciated the successes achieved in the Zarb-e-Azb operation. Under the agreement, the two countries would establish and further develop cooperation in training and improving professional skills of diplomats with an aim to strengthen bilateral relations. Pakistan accords high priority to its deep historical and cultural bonds with the Central Asian region.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is going to visit Kazakhstan on Tuesday for two days after being invited by President Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev. He said that Pakistan admired Kazakhstan’s role for the worldwide peace and security and had full confidence in visionary leadership of President Nazirbov.