Islamabad (GNP): Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, met with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, to review progress in bilateral IT cooperation.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the steady growth of collaboration between the two countries in information technology and telecommunications, focusing in particular on implementing agreements reached during Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visit to Islamabad in February this year, including a memorandum of understanding between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and Pakistan’s IT ministry.
Progress on AI Cooperation
The launch of the first Kazakhstan-Pakistan Artificial Intelligence Center at GIFT University in Gujranwala on July 6 was highlighted as a concrete outcome of the partnership. Discussions also covered future collaboration between Kazakhstan’s Astana Hub and Pakistan’s Ignite National Technology Fund, along with plans to expand direct connections between IT companies and startups in both countries.
Khawaja reaffirmed Pakistan’s interest in deepening cooperation with Kazakhstan and building direct ties between government bodies, development institutions, and technology firms in both nations.
Following the meeting, both sides expressed commitment to continuing joint efforts to implement existing agreements and launch new digital technology projects.
Broader Strategic Partnership
The meeting was described as part of a “new chapter” in Pakistan-Kazakhstan relations, building on a joint declaration of strategic partnership that includes cultural, academic, and sporting initiatives, growing business ties, and plans for direct flights and expanded transport links, including a proposed trans-Afghan railway. These efforts aim to position both countries as connectivity hubs linking Eurasia with South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
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Discussions also touched on the broader importance of regional connectivity and the untapped potential for cooperation in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, IT, and education between the two countries.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
