Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s commitment to strengthening cultural diplomacy and people-to-people contacts with Kazakhstan as he held a farewell meeting with Kazakhstan\u2019s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in culture, heritage, education and tourism.<\/p>\n
Welcoming the Ambassador, the minister appreciated his valuable contributions to promoting Pakistan-Kazakhstan cultural relations during his tenure and expressed confidence that the close cooperation established between the two countries would continue under his successor.
\nThe meeting reviewed ways to further strengthen collaboration in cultural heritage preservation, educational cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
\nAmbassador Kistafin highlighted the deep historical, cultural and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, as well as the wider Central Asian region, stressing the need to revive and further strengthen these longstanding relations.
\nHe expressed optimism that direct flights between Kazakhstan and Pakistan would commence next year, facilitating greater tourism, trade and cultural exchanges.
\n He also highlighted Kazakhstan\u2019s educational cooperation with Pakistan through scholarship opportunities for Pakistani students.
\nAurangzeb Khan Khichi said that, as agreed between the two sides, the visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Kazakhstan is expected to take place next year, providing an important opportunity to further expand bilateral cooperation.
\nThe Ambassador informed the minister that Astana is home to several renowned cultural institutions, including the Opera Theatre, Ballet Theatre and National Theatre, and proposed organizing joint cultural performances during the Prime Minister\u2019s visit.
\nHe said performances by artists and musicians from both countries would symbolize the strong cultural partnership between Pakistan and Kazakhstan and extended an invitation to the federal minister and his delegation to visit Kazakhstan to explore new avenues of cultural cooperation.
\nThe minister assured the Ambassador that the National Heritage and Culture Division and its attached organizations, including Lok Virsa, would continue working closely with the Embassy of Kazakhstan to further deepen bilateral cultural relations under the guidance of the Prime Minister.
\nAurangzeb Khan Khichi also informed the Ambassador that recommendations regarding a Pakistani cultural delegation had already been approved. He said the delegation would comprise a music teacher, a scholar and two instrumentalists who are also teachers, adding that Pakistan looks forward to receiving the formal invitation from Kazakhstan to finalize the necessary arrangements.
\nAmbassador Kistafin informed the minister that Kazakhstan had prepared a comprehensive joint Action Plan covering a wide range of cultural activities, describing it as one of the most extensive cooperation plans Kazakhstan has with any partner country and a reflection of the shared commitment of both nations to strengthening cultural ties.
\nWelcoming the proposal, the minister directed the relevant stakeholders to immediately begin work on developing the proposed initiatives to ensure their implementation during the anticipated visit of the Prime Minister.
\nHighlighting Pakistan\u2019s flagship annual cultural festival, Lok Mela, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi invited Kazakhstan to participate with its artists and cultural groups in future editions of the festival. The Ambassador welcomed the invitation, recalling Kazakhstan\u2019s previous participation and expressing his country\u2019s willingness to further expand cultural exchanges through the event.
\nThe minister also proposed organizing a special exhibition in Kazakhstan showcasing Pakistan\u2019s rich cultural heritage through archaeological artefacts, traditional artwork, photographs and audio-visual presentations depicting the country\u2019s history, geography and cultural diversity.
\nHe said the exhibition would present Pakistan as a cradle of ancient civilizations by highlighting the heritage of Gandhara Buddhism, the Indus Valley Civilization, Islamic civilization and the contributions of various faith communities, reflecting the country\u2019s rich cultural and religious diversity.
\nThe Ambassador appreciated the proposal, describing it as an excellent initiative that would provide international audiences with a unique opportunity to experience Pakistan\u2019s rich heritage while further strengthening cultural understanding and friendship between the two countries.
\nThe meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to expanding cultural cooperation and implementing the initiatives outlined in the bilateral Action Plan for the mutual benefit of Pakistan and Kazakhstan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s commitment to strengthening cultural diplomacy and people-to-people contacts with Kazakhstan as he held a farewell meeting with Kazakhstan\u2019s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in culture, heritage, education and tourism. Welcoming the Ambassador, the minister appreciated his […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":560656,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-560650","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-national"],"yoast_head":"\n