FARUKH SHEHZAD

ANKARA, Oct 12: Kazakhstan continues to fulfill its obligations under the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the country’s defense minister said on Wednesday.

“No crisis within the intergovernmental military alliance,” Ruslan Zhaksylykov said. “Let’s rely on our state, on our legislation. We comply with all the established norms, everything is in order with us,” he added, urging against speculation on the alliance.

The statement comes two weeks after top military officials and defense ministers gathered for a meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a regional Eurasian bloc of post-Soviet countries.

On Sunday, CSTO member Kyrgyzstan announced the cancellation of the alliance’s military exercises a day before they were scheduled to begin.

No statement was released on the reason behind the cancellation, but it came amid border tensions between Kyrgyzstan and neighboring Tajikistan, also a CSTO member.

The CSTO was founded in 1992 and consists of six former Soviet states, namely Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.

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Nur-Sultan, JAN 22: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited Almaty on Wednesday for the first time since clashes there left dozens dead, vowing to repair damage to oil-rich Kazakhstan’s largest city and financial hub.

“The task now is to rebuild the city in the shortest possible time (…) I have no doubt the city will be restored,” he told a government meeting, according to a statement on the presidential website.

The visit comes on the eve of the start of the announced withdrawal of a Russia-led military contingent of more than 2,000 troops that were sent to help restore order after peaceful protests gave way to violence and looting.

“Tomorrow begins the organised withdrawal of the peacekeeping contingent” from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the alliance led by Moscow, confirmed Tokayev.

Almaty showed further signs of a return to normal life Wednesday with many more people out on the streets than last week and most restaurants and shops open.

AFP correspondents saw helicopters flying overhead as Tokayev met officials in the the city where municipal services were cleaning up broken glass from shop windows smashed by looters.

Tokayev said Russian and allied forces “played a very important role in terms of stabilising the situation in the country”.

“Without a doubt, it was of great psychological importance in repelling the aggression of terrorists and bandits. The mission can be considered very successful,” he added.

Tokayev also spoke with relatives of law enforcement personnel killed in the riots and visited injured people in hospital, the presidential website said.

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Courtesy Anews

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• Dr. Zarema Shaukenova, Director, KazISS says 2022 will mark another significant year of diplomatic years between Pak, Kazakhstan

ISLAMABAD, NOV 25: A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KazISS), Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan and Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad, Pakistan.

The MOU calls for cooperation and collaboration between the two institutions in areas of interest including research. The two institutions agreed to collaborate in various joint projects including conferences, seminars, roundtable discussions, and research.

The MOU Signing symbolizes the beginning of a fruitful partnership between both think tanks which will eventually benefit Pakistan and Kazakhstan at bilateral level.

Dr. Zarema Shaukenova, Director, KazISS, expressed interest in initiating joint analytical research projects. Furthermore, she stated that 2022 will mark another significant year of diplomatic years between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.

Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director CGSS stated that CGSS has an extensive experience of working with various think tanks and institutions of Kazakhstan in areas of research, academics, and exchange programs.

Arman Tynabek, Deputy Head of Missions, Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Islamabad stated that the Embassy has always extended support to facilitating collaboration between various institutions of Pakistan and Kazakhstan.

Embassy is pleased to support this partnership which will eventually play a significant role in further enhancing the bilateral relations of two countries. Furthermore, we also appreciate the important role of CGSS and efforts in enhancing the relations of the two countries.

The MoU was signed by Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director CGSS and Dr. Zarema Shaukenova, Director, KazISS signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions.

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Direct air connectivity between Pak, Kazakhstan to further enhance public relations: Sanjrani

ISLAMABAD, NOV 12: Ambassador of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Kistafin met Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani at Parliament House. During the meeting both dignitaries discussed exchange of delegations at parliamentary and trade level between Kazakhstan and Pakistan.

Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani said that excellent economic relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan will help further promote bilateral cooperation and economic and trade relations will also lead to significant progress in the development of the region.

Chairman Senate praised the steps taken to make economic and trade relations effective. The Chairman of the Senate said that direct air connectivity between Pakistan and Kazakhstan would be further enhanced and help promote public relations.

Sanjrani further said that “Fraternal and friendly relations between the two countries are an important part of our foreign policy,” the Chairman of the Senate said. The Upper House has Kazakhstan, Pakistan Friendship Group, which can further coordinate parliamentary relations between the two countries.

Ambassador of Kazakhstan praised Pakistan’s culture and hospitality and said Kazakhstan values its relations with Pakistan.

Kazakhstan’s ambassador told the Chairman Senate that delegations were gaining momentum at the trade level to strengthen trade and economic ties.

The Kazakhstan Business Forum is going to meet in which a delegation from Pakistan’s business community will participate.

He said steps are also being taken to promote cooperation in science and technology, education and other fields.

Chairman Senate praised the steps taken to make economic and trade relations effective. The Chairman of the Senate said that direct air connectivity between Pakistan and Kazakhstan would be further enhanced and help promote public relations.

Pakistan and Kazakhstan also have excellent relations at the level of international forums. Chairman Senate said Pakistan and Kazakhstan have often taken a similar stand on international and regional issues.

He said that the promotion of parliamentary relations would bring stability through cooperation in economic and economic sectors. Pakistan is working to further strengthen the promotion of connectivity with central goods countries.

Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani said institutional cooperation would help further enhance public relations.

Civil aviation will also be spoken to in this regard, he said. Chairman Senate said there are vast opportunities for investment in Pakistan. Kazakhstan’s investors can make use of investment opportunities in Pakistan.

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