Article:
In a significant development, Pakistan and Kazakhstan have signed agreements on various sectors, including trade, railways, and plant protection. The agreements were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The two leaders signed a joint statement, marking the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the two nations. The agreements include a transit trade agreement, a memorandum of understanding on railways, and documents on cooperation in plant protection and veterinary sectors. Additionally, Pakistan and Kazakhstan have agreed on a memorandum of understanding on mining and petroleum, a memorandum of understanding on UN peacekeeping missions, and a document on prisoner exchange.
Prior to the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosted Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Prime Minister’s House. Upon arrival, Prime Minister Sharif welcomed the dignitary with a grand reception, and the two leaders exchanged warm handshakes. The ceremony began with the national anthems of both countries being played, followed by the presentation of the Guard of Honor to the visiting dignitary. The ceremony also included a visit to the Nur Khan Airbase, where President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received the Kazakh President.
The Kazakh President’s visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including senior ministers and government officials. In a statement, the Kazakh President reiterated his country’s commitment to supporting the Kashmiri brothers and reaffirmed his nation’s stance on interfaith harmony and tolerance. The meeting also touched upon the issue of terrorism in Afghanistan, with the Kazakh President expressing concern over the resurgence of the TTP and BLA.
In other news, the Sindh government has announced a tribute to Benazir Bhutto on her birthday, with thousands of women across the country paying homage to the former Prime Minister. The Sindh government has also announced a grand ceremony to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Benazir Bhutto assassination.
The Sindh government has also announced that the case of Nadeem Jamali, who was accused of firing at two police officials in Karachi, is now under trial. The police have confirmed that the suspect fled the scene after the incident, leaving behind his weapon and vehicle.
In a separate development, the Ministry of Railways has announced the resumption of the Jaffar Express and Chaman Passenger Train from today. The trains will run on their scheduled timings, marking a significant development in the country’s transportation sector.
In a surprise move, the opposition alliance, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has announced that it will accept the government’s offer for talks. The PTI’s chairman, Imran Khan, has also announced that he will return to Pakistan to meet his father, as he wishes to spend the Eid holidays with his family.
In a related development, the judicial commission investigating the 2016 Gul Plaza carnage in Karachi has issued a notification on the scope and duration of its inquiry. The commission will investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, which killed several people, including employees of the district court’s stamp paper section.
Finally, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Army Chief, General Asim Munir, visited Quetta today, marking a significant development in the country’s military diplomacy.
