RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday warmly received Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev upon his arrival at the Nur Khan Airbase as the two nations seek to further bolster their bilateral ties.

The Kazakh president, accompanied by a high-level delegation — comprising senior cabinet ministers and other high-ranking officials — reached Pakistan on his maiden state visit from Feb 3 to 4.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and federal ministers were also present to welcome the Kazakh president.

Children clad in traditional dresses and carrying national flags of both countries welcomed the Kazakh president. A 21- gun salute was presented to the visiting dignitary.

During the visit, Pre­sident Tokayev is expected to meet with his Pakistani counterpart, hold talks with PM Shehbaz, and address the Pakistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum.

The Foreign Office, in a statement, said the visit would provide the two sides an important and timely opportunity to und­ertake a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, discuss new avenues for broadening cooperation, particularly in trade, logistics, regional connectivity, people-to-people contacts, and explore collaboration at regional and international forums.

The visit reflects the strengthening bonds bet­ween Pakistan and Kazakhstan, their mutual commitment to transforming historic and cultural affinities into robust cooperation, and their common desire for peace and progress in the region, it added.

According to a handout issued by the President’s Secretariat, President Zardari will confer the Nishan-i-Pakistan, the country’s highest civilian award, on the Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan presidents; the latter is expected to visit the country sometime this month.

Libyan delegation

Separately, PM Shehbaz on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fostering friendly relations with Libya and emphasised the importance of continued engagement and dialogue.

The development came as a high-level delegation from Libya called on PM Shehbaz at the Prime Minister’s House.

The delegation comprised Libyan Prime Mini­ster Dr Osama Saad Hamad, Libyan Arab Armed Forces Commander-in-chief Field Marshal Khalifa Abu-al-Qasim Haf­tar and Deputy Com­mander-in-Chief Lieut­enant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar.

Mr Dar and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir were also present during the meeting, according to a press release issued by the PM Office’s media wing.

“During the discussions, both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relations,” it read.

“The [participants of] meeting reflected the shared desire to enhance cooperation in areas of common concern and to promote peace, stability, and development at regional and international levels,” it added.

The Libyan leadership appreciated Pakistan’s role and expressed interest in expanding collaboration between the two countries.

The meeting concluded with an understanding to maintain close contact and explore avenues for future cooperation.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2026