ISLAMABAD: Dignitaries and guests gathered at the Embassy of Kazakhstan on Friday to celebrate its Republic Day.

This year`s celebration holds particular significance. `For the first time, we are honored to collaborate with the Care for Special Persons Foundation and its children. These children are with us tonight as our special guests,` Ambassador of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Kistafen said.

The Kazakh envoy also highlighted his country`s achievements and the strong bilateral ties with Pakistan. Minister for Privatisation, Communication, and Board of Investment, Abdul Aleem Khan was the chief guest at the event.

The eventfeatured a charity auction of handmade products by children from the foundation, and the proceeds directed towards supporting their education and care.

Kazakhstan`s Ambassador to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin expressed gratitude to key support-ers, including Aziz Boolani, who is CEO of Serena Hotel, for co-organizing the event.

Ahmed Nawaz, a host from PTV World, led the charity auction, which aimed to raise funds for the foundation.

Highlighting Kazakhstan`s journey since its declaration of sovereignty, Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin noted the country`s impressive socio-economic development and foreign policy achievements.

He shared key milestones, including a foreign trade volume of $139.8 billion in 2023 and the attraction of $441 billion in foreign direct investments since 1993. He also emphasised the role of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) as a regional business hub, which has raised over $12 billion in investments since 2018.

Kazakhstan`s strategic focus on digitalinfrastructure and the development of the `North-South` transport corridor were underscored as pivotal initiatives in the country`s growth. The ambassador mentionedthat 13 internationaltransport corridors now crossed Kazakhstan, significantly boosting the country`s logisticalpotential.

The diplomat also highlightedKazakhstan`s active role on the global stage, noting its participation in international peacekeeping missions and regional organisations. In 2024, Kazakhstan chaired severalkey organizations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Organisation of Turkic States.

The ambassador proudly mentioned the recent 5th World Nomad Games held in Astana, which featured 21 sports and cultural programmes with participants from 89 countries, including a Pakistani contingent that won three bronze medals.

Focusing on bilateral relations, the ambassador lauded the growth in trade between Kazakhstan and Pakistan, which saw an 85 percent increase to $186.3 million in the last fiscal year. He highlighted the establishment of stable trade routes and the successful import of Pakistani mangoes to Kazakhstan earlier this year.

The ambassador also underscored the high-level exchanges between the two countries, including the visits of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Astana and Kazakhstan`s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov to Islamabad for the SCO meetings. He noted the fruitful negotiations andconcrete agreements reached during these events, with implementation expected in the coming months.

As the evening concluded, the ambassador expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to strengthening the friendship between Kazakhstan and Pakistan.

`Today`s celebration is a testament to the growing partnership between our nations,` he said, encouraging guests to enjoy the evening.

Other guests who spoke on the occasion included Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, who appreciated contributions from the embassy of Kazakhstan in contributing to development of the community.

The auctioned fetched more than Rs1 million for the handicrafts made by the differently abled children of the foundation.Guests indulged in local and Kazakh delicacies prepared by Serena Hotel`s Executive Chef Pathmanathan Balagangdaram.