Islamabad (GNP): Outgoing Kazakhstan Ambassador to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House, marking the completion of his diplomatic tenure.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatemi, and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch.
Sharif acknowledged Kistafin’s contribution to strengthening relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan during his time as ambassador, particularly his role in facilitating Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Pakistan in February 2026, which elevated bilateral ties to the level of a strategic partnership.
The prime minister conveyed his regards to President Tokayev and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its relationship with Kazakhstan through expanded regional connectivity, trade, and cooperation in energy, education, and cultural exchange.
Kistafin thanked Sharif for the support extended to him throughout his tenure and expressed confidence that Pakistan-Kazakhstan relations would continue to grow under the strategic partnership framework established during his time in the role. Sharif wished the ambassador success in his future assignments.
Pakistan and Kazakhstan maintain a close bilateral relationship built on shared cultural ties and joint membership in organizations including the OIC, SCO, and ECO. Diplomatic relations were established on February 24, 1992, shortly after Kazakhstan’s independence, with Pakistan among the first countries to recognize it.
The relationship has traditionally emphasized political dialogue, economic cooperation, and connectivity, with notable momentum in 2025 as both countries worked to unlock further potential in the partnership.
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That year saw active diplomatic engagement and concrete agreements between the two countries, setting the stage for deeper cooperation — a trajectory further reinforced by the February 2026 presidential visit.
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.
