Pakistani PM to visit Kazakhstan on August 25-26

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Kazakhstan on August 25-26 at the invitation of President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev, the Foreign Ministry said Monday.

During the visit to Astana, the prime minister will hold meetings with President Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev and Prime Minister Karim Massimov, it said.

The leaders will discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, it added.

The prime minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation.

Pakistan was among the first few countries that recognized and established diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan after its independence in December 1991.

A number of agreements and MoUs are expected to be signed during the visit.

"The Prime Minister's visit to Kazakhstan is reflective of his vision to enhance and strengthen Pakistan's relations with Central Asian Republics. Pakistan accords high priority to its deep historical and cultural bonds with the Central Asian region," the Foreign Ministry said.

It said the relations between the two regional countries are based on mutual respect, shared perceptions and common desire to promote peace, stability and development in the region.