Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif to visit Kazakhstan from tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will pay a two-day official visit to Kazakhstan from tomorrow during which he will hold talks with top Kazakh leadership on issues of mutual and bilateral interest.

"Prime Minister Sharif will undertake visit to Astana on 25-26 August. The Prime Minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation," Foreign Office said in a statement.

It said the invitation for the visit was extended by Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Sharif will hold meetings with President Nazarbayev and Prime Minister Karim Massimov and discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

A number of Agreements/MoUs are expected to be signed during the visit, according to the statement.

Pakistan values its close and brotherly relations with Kazakhstan and their ties are marked by cordiality and cooperation in diverse fields, it added.

The two countries share common views on major regional and international issues and cooperate closely in multilateral forums including the UN, SCO, ECO and OIC, it said.

It said the ties between the two nations are based on mutual respect, shared perceptions and common desire to promote peace, stability and development in the region.

Sharif's visit to Kazakhstan is reflective of his vision to enhance and strengthen Pakistan's relations with Central Asian Republics based on "deep historical and cultural bonds".

Pakistan was among the first few countries that recognised and established diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan after its independence in December 1991.