National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that Pakistan's "Vision Central Asia" strategy aspires to develop long-lasting and result-oriented engagement with Central Asian countries. Talking to Chairman, Mazhilis of Parliament of Kazakhstan, Yerlan Koshanov, he said that Pakistan is actively pursuing increased cooperation with the Central Asian countries, notably Kazakhstan, on all issues of shared interest.

He emphasised that a crucial element of this goal is quick and easy access to the sea and to landlocked Central Asian republics through the Karachi and Gwadar ports.He stressed Pakistan's importance as a major route for effectively and economically connecting Central Asia with the rest of the globe. He also gave Yerlan, who visited Pakistan at his request, his sincere appreciation. He emphasised that, particularly at the parliamentary level, this visit would be crucial in accelerating the pace of collaboration.

A more effective implementation of ongoing projects and legal support to deal with issues necessary to further strengthen fraternal bilateral ties - particularly those relating to trade, tourism, and the promotion of people-to-people contacts - would be facilitated by active participation from both sides of parliaments, he said.He emphasised the common historical, religious, and cultural links between the two countries, which have been deepened over the course of 30 years of diplomatic and legislative interactions.

Chairman Yerlan Koshanov emphasised that his country is aware of the trade route offered by Pakistan and expressed optimism that his visit and the upcoming trip of his country's president to Pakistan will significantly increase trade and investment between the two sides. He invited the Speaker of the National Assembly to pay an official visit to Kazakhstan to strengthen connections between the two nations.

Yerlan expressed his complete agreement with the topics covered during the discussion and pledged to contribute to finding solutions to any pressing problems in order to advance peace and prosperity between both countries. Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety and Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme Shazia Atta Marri, stressed the importance of advancing cooperation in the areas of tourism and trade, relaxing visa regulations, encouraging youth exchanges, and advancing women's participation in decision-making processes.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk