Shehbaz congratulates Kazakhstan president on successful constitutional referendum

ISLAMABAD:  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday congratulated Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the success of a “historic constitutional referendum”, according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

On Monday, Kazakhstan voted 87.15 per cent in favour of adopting a new constitution, the Central Election Commission said. The new constitution streamlines the country’s Parliament and recreates the office of vice president, which was abolished in 1996. It gives the president the right to appoint the vice president, as well as a host of other key officials.

In a statement on Tuesday, the PMO said that during a “warm and cordial call” with the Kazakhstan president, PM Shehbaz congratulated him on the success of the “historic constitutional referendum”.

Furthermore, the prime minister noted that the “overwhelming turnout and support for the new constitution reflected the trust and confidence of the people of Kazakhstan in President Tokayev’s visionary leadership and reform agenda”.

The statement said PM Shehbaz expressed confidence that the reforms would further strengthen governance, institutional stability, and national development in Kazakhstan.

“While fondly recalling President Tokayev’s visit to Pakistan last month, the prime minister assured him that Pakistan was actively following up on the decisions taken during that visit,” it said. In this regard, PM Shehbaz said that the two sides would meet soon to firm up proposed agreements, it stated.  Staff Report