ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Kazakhstan on Tuesday reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen their strategic partnership, recognising vast opportunities to expand cooperation in trade, economy, and other key sectors.

Speaking at the opening session of delegation-level talks, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and his Kazakh counterpart Murat Nurtleu underscored the need to elevate bilateral relations to new heights.

Mr Dar said that Pakistan strongly advocated peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the region, particularly in Central Asia, adding that there was immense potential for both countries to enhance ties. He reiterated Islamabad’s desire for a strong partnership with Kazakhstan based on mutual respect, trust, and goodwill, noting that both nations held common views on most regional and international issues. He also expressed hope that the upcoming visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in November would serve as a key milestone in strengthening ties, adding that finalising the programme of the visit was among the objectives of Tuesday’s talks.

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Mr Nurtleu, who is on his first official two-day visit to Pakistan, described the relationship between the two countries as “time-tested” with “deep and strong roots.” He said Kazakhstan was ready to expand engagements and bring the two nations closer, expressing confidence that President Tokayev’s visit would create fresh momentum and give new impetus to bilateral relations.

During his earlier interactions with government officials and businessmen in Islamabad, Mr Nurtleu said both sides had discussed a range of matters to promote cooperation in trade and investment.