PM Gilani due in Kazakhstan tomorrow
ASTANA (Kazakstan), Sept 5 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani is arriving in the Kazakh capital here on Tuesday on a two-day official visit to meet the leadership in a bid to strengthen bilateral and trade ties. The Prime Minister is visiting the Central Asian state on the invitation of Kazakh leadership. “The Prime Minister’s visit is part of Pakistan’s policy of regional outreach and strengthening relations with all its important neighbours,” a Foreign Office statement said on Monday.
Prime Minister Gilani will hold talks with his Kazakh counterpart Karim Massimov and President Nursultan Nazarbayev to seek potential in areas of trade and commerce. Pakistan wants to expand relations with the Central Asian state, which is rich in natural resources.
 “Pakistan and Kazakhstan belong to the same region. Both have shared interests in peace and stability in the region,” the statement added.
 During the Prime Minister’s visit, the two countries are likely to sign an agreement between their Chambers of Commerce and Industries.
 Gilani will also hold a joint interaction with media along with Prime Minister Massimov besides giving interviews to the leading Kazakh dailies.
 The Prime Minister will visit the Monument of the Motherland Defenders and will also lay a wreath at the Eternal Flame.
 Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari visited Kazakhstan this June to attend the summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
 Pakistan established diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan in February 1992, after the disintegration of Soviet Union.
 Pakistan’s major exports to Kazakhstan include textile cotton, bed linen, knitwear, pharmaceuticals, garments, leather, rice and fruits. The items of imports from Kazakhstan are produce of plant origin, base metals and products, means of land, air, water transport and parts, chemical industry products, raw cotton, leather and wool.
 Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan had signed an agreement on transit transport along the Karakorum Highway in 1995.
 There are 69 Kazakh companies registered with Pakistan, mostly in retail trade of tourism, construction and advertising.