ISLAMABAD: Kazakh ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin on Tuesday said that a direct flight from Kazakhstan to Skardu cannot be ruled out, which will increase tourism between the two countries.

“International flights have started recently from Skardu International Airport after which we have an opportunity to increase tourism between the two countries by starting this one-hour duration direct flight from Kazakhstan to Skardu,” said the ambassador while talking to APP.

Mr Kistafin said people-to-people relations between the two countries would increase with this air connectivity initiative, which was the backbone of all relations, and along with this, bilateral relations between the business communities of both the sides would increase.

He said for the promotion of bilateral relations between Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Central Asia, there was a need to increase economic integration and enhance land and air links.

The envoy said mutual diplomatic, economic and trade ties between Pakistan and Kazakhstan were being strengthened with the passage of time. He said a bilateral agreement had been reached between the two countries for the promotion of transit trade and a lot of progress had been made on this, which would strengthen the economic ties and trade between the two countries.

Mr Kistafin said for the increasing bilateral trade and economic relations between the two countries, there was a need to exchange the business delegation between both sides.

He said there was a need to work on the potential in Gilgit-Baltistan, including conventional tourism, medical and cultural adventure tourism, mining and precious stones, minerals and natural resources, hydro-power, agriculture including fruits and food, water resources and other sectors.

He emphasised several measures to reveal the potential of these sectors.

The envoy said with the start of this flight between the two countries, the two nations would get an opportunity to come closer and the cultural tourism relations of the two countries would be strengthened.

He said the northern region of Pakistan was rich in natural beauty in which six major mountain peaks of the world were found and a major part of the Himalayan Mountain range also was in Pakistan which was a masterpiece of nature.

In response to a question, he said bilateral trade between Pakistan and Kazakhstan was far below its potential and more work was needed in this sector.

The ambassador said the role of the private sector was very important to increase cooperation in the field of tourism between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, for which the business community of both countries must play their due role in this regard.

He said Pakistan and Kazakhstan were bound in historical, religious and cultural relations that cover many dimensions, and “we have to make the new generation aware of our historical heritage.”

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2024