Tazeen Akhtar
Ambassador of Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E Yerzhan Kistafin has said that the Parliament is influential (Supreme) than every other institution in our country and the Parliament’s decision (ruling) is final (above all). Our public took part in big number in the Parliamentary elections held on 19 March this year to elect their representatives who will lead the nation into new democratic era. The government will be accountable to the public representatives. The President will be elected for one term only that has been fixed 7 years. President will not be member of any party. No member of the family of the President can become member of the Parliament or head of any institution. The constitutional reforms introduced by the President Kassym Jomart Tokayev are meant for taking the nation to a better future. Ambassador H.E Yerzhan Kistafin hosted a press briefing on 19 April in Islamabad to apprise the Pakistani journalists in Islamabad, on the elections and address of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the opening of the first session of the Parliament of the VIII convocation. The members of media and press participated in the event in big number. They included journalists from print, electronic and digital media. Representation of two main journalist organizations 1- Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (Tahir Farooq, Safeer Shah and this scribe) 2- President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (Afzal Butt) were also present. The people of the Republic of Kazakhstan are moving towards a prosperous future after passing through a crucial phase of constitutional reform, strengthening the democratic system, securing the human rights and improving the governance in the country during last few months. The Parliamentary Elections on March 19 this year were milestone in their journey to the destination of development and well being in all spheres of life. The people of the Republic participated in the election process vehemently to play their role in reshaping their country into more democratic and well managed state socially as well as economically. Voters turnout was satisfactory while international organizations observed the election process as smooth, transparent, free and fair. Mr. Yerzhan Kistafin briefed the press about the constitutional reforms under the vision of President Kassym and desired by the people of the republic. He shed light on the recent Parliamentary Elections and their outcome in the shape of betterment in the governance and deliverance to the nation. He also shared the latest status of bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan Pakistan including the efforts to start direct flights as soon as possible. The Ambassador noted the minimum trade potential between the two countries up to $1 Billion. Kazakhstan took the challenges of modern times from January 2022 introducing complete set of reforms gradually in different phases to transform the state into latest status enabling the nation to walk in the comity of nations shoulder by shoulder by other nations.Large scale program of political modernization was initiated after a referendum to secure support of the people. Only then, the Kazakh leadership embarked upon the process of transformation with full determination. Parliamentary elections are the culmination of the above mentioned modernization in the first phase. Approximately 800 international observers witnessed the Parliamentary Elections in different parts of country.They included monitors of Eurasian Union, Organization of Turkic States, Organization of Independent States, Organization of Islamic Conference and many other. They found no untoward incident anywhere and reported a well managed and well participated polling nationwide. The turnout remained 54 % of eligible voters. 6.3 Million voters used their right of election of their representatives. Amanat Party emerges as victorious in the results announced by the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan. “The Republica” a new political party also attracted the voter, though the number of votes is not high. This party mainly consists of young entrepreneurs who are determined to bring a positive change in the country. This phenomenon resembles to Pakistan as a young nation where more than 60% of population is under the age of 35 years. Mr. Kistafin said, “Our national legislation are in line with the International Regulations. President Tokayev, in his address, has outlined the priority areas to work upon for the new parliament and the government. Formulation of Laws will be according the Constitution. Human rights of the citizens are secured in our country.” “Kazakhstan is in transitional stage. We have to move more supportive system for socially vulnerable population. Our economy needs scientific industry, processing industry, pharma industry. Pakistan’s cooperation is being sought in Pharma and Textile industries, Ambassador continued. He said,” E-government and digitization is in focus to promote in Kazakhstan. Our country is at 46th position in the whole world in this sector. Pakistan is also working on E-governance. Therefore we can collaborate with each other here as well.” Ambassador highlighted the central geographical position of Kazakhstan with the help of the map on board. He elaborated , ” Kazakhstan offers great transitional potential to international communities. Kazakhstan is ready to for developmental cooperation with all countries of the regions. We provide bridge between Central and South Asia and to Eurasia. North South Corridor connects Kazakhstan with Iran through central Asian countries where next destination is Middle East and Africa up to Mediterranean Sea. Caspian corridor provides communication to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye and next stop Europe. This connectivity potential has central place in our foreign policy.” He noted Energy, Electricity, Infrastructure, Food Security as other focused sectors for the prosperity of the people of Kazakhstan. Pakistani Journalist, Mr. Shams Abbasi shared his observation of the election that he covered during his visit to Astana last month. He said, ” I went to many polling stations in the capital city. I found the process of voting as if it was some festive event. People including women and elderly were present at the polling stations for their turn to cast the vote. They expressed their political choice with no coercion from any side. Some international observers also accompanied me to the polling stations. We looked into all the stages of the polling. The voters used their right of vote as a responsibility.” He said the parliamentary elections will further push the state towards strengthened democracy. The elections are actually a big step towards more and more democracy. At the conclusion, Ambassador took questions from the journalists. He welcomed all to participate in the interactive session. He answered all questions in detail to the satisfaction of the attending media person. Bilateral Relations Ambassador discussed the bilateral cooperation as well. He said, “Mutual trade level is about $ 200 Million that is not equal to original potential of the two countries. We intend to take it to $1 Billion at least. For that, connectivity, communication and interactions are necessary. Recently 130 businessmen from Pakistan visited Kazakhstan. Now Kazakh business delegation is about to travel to Pakistan to further discuss the ideas and areas for bilateral trade and investments. Astana International Finance Center has been established to facilitate the business activities with state of the art supportive infrastructure and apparatus there.” Mr. Kistafin met with Mr Farooqi, Federal Secretary of Ministry of Commerce Pakistan on the same day of press brief. Both discussed holding of next session of Joint Working Group on connectivity development. They agreed to organize this session as soon as possible. Kazakhstan is working on a joint venture with Punjab government to import Potatoes and Orange from Pakistan. “Pakistan students are selecting our universities for higher studies. Their number was 500 last year. This year, we have received more than one thousand applications. The number would rise to 1500. Kazakh National University and Qauid e Azam University have signed an agreement to recognize the degrees of each other, Ambassador shared.
