Pakistan, Kazakhstan to explore new avenues of cooperation
ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, met with Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Tuesday to explore new avenues for bilateral cooperation in culture and heritage, agreeing on a series of concrete initiatives to translate diplomatic goodwill into lasting cultural partnership.
Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin requested that a Pakistani cultural troupe be dispatched to Astana ahead of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming official visit to rehearse and perform a musical welcome ceremony upon the Prime Minister’s arrival.
The visit follows an invitation extended by Kazakhstan’s President to Prime Minister Sharif during his recent state visit to Pakistan.
In response, the Federal Minister confirmed that a delegation of musicians including singers and a Qawwali troupe would be sent to Kazakhstan, underscoring Pakistan’s world-renowned Qawwali tradition as a defining symbol of its musical heritage.
Secretary of the National Heritage and Culture Division, Asad Rehman Gillani, briefed the Ambassador that Pakistan is already presenting its architectural and artisanal heritage, rooted in ancient civilizations such as Gandhara and Mohenjo-Daro, in multiple countries, and confirmed this showcase would also be featured during the Astana visit upon request.
Following earlier bilateral discussions, it was decided that a “Centre for Musical Instruments” will be housed at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), with formal approval to be sought at an upcoming Board of Directors meeting.
The Ambassador noted that educational linkages between the two countries had already been strengthened and that the cultural sector would now receive renewed focus.
Aurangzeb Khichi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advancing cultural collaboration and pledged continued support for implementing existing Memorandums of Understanding in the cultural domain.
The Ambassador expressed interest in visiting the Lahore Museum and the National Museum Karachi, where experts from both countries would jointly select artefacts for an exhibition to be held in Astana. The Minister assured full facilitation for these visits.
The Ambassador extended a formal invitation to Federal Minister Khichi to visit Astana, which he accepted.
The Minister, in turn, invited a Kazakhstani cultural troupe to visit Pakistan, citing precedent from successful exchanges with Turkey and Tajikistan. Emphasising the significance of cultural diplomacy, Aurangzeb Khichi stated that cultural exchange is a cornerstone of bilateral relations, and that the Government of Pakistan places special priority on deepening ties with Central Asian states. (Sajid Ali Zaidi)
