Pakistan has finally cleared Kazakh private airline Scat to begin with its direct flights between Almaty and Lahore, twice a week. First flight will land at Lahore International on July 8, 2023. It will depart with a gap of three days – a very good news for businessmen and the short-trip visitors.
In a year, more than thirty Memorandums of Understanding have been signed by Pakistan-Kazakh for bilateral cooperation in different sectors. Indeed, these MOUs are historic milestones in the diplomatic relations between both countries despite all bureaucratic hurdles and political snag on both sides. However, most of the credit goes to Kazakhstan Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin who has been running to every nook and corner with all patience and consistency.
The direct flights between Pakistan and Kazakhstan will increase economic, social and cultural connectivity between the people from all walks of life of the two countries, and play a pivotal role in enhancing the integration of two culturally common societies. Ambassador Kistafin believes that the direct flights between the two countries are “very important for regional economic and trade integration not between Kazakhstan and Pakistan, but for regional trade and connectivity”.
The direct flight between the two countries will be two hours and ten minutes. It will be just like travelling to Karachi from Islamabad, saving time and money too as it will be less expensive than other airlines that stay in the Middle-East destinations for a transit of several hours. Certainly, it will be more beneficial for the short visit of business people and professionals for bilateral engagements, enhancing the possibilities of mutual economic activity, trade and tourism.
The Kazakh ambassador is quite optimistic to enhance the network of flights to other cities after the success of direct flights between Lahore and Almaty. The next destinations shall be Karachi and Islamabad. At the moment, the two-way fare is expected to remain between $300-400. It is expected to attract more customers. The airline shall spend on their brand promotion and the tourist destinations of two countries. The Punjab government shall leap forward to promote trade and tourism of the province by using the available trade infrastructure and tourism destinations. Punjab’s rich culture and heritage could be branded and promoted for handsome forex.
Much appreciable is the friendly and close communication between the Kazakh President Kassim Takayov and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. Ambassador Kistafin while speaking at the National Press Club has said that both the leaders spoke to each other even on the Eid days and discussed issues of mutual interest between the two countries. It is indeed a moment to see the top leadership of Kazakhstan and Pakistan determined for the strengthening and promoting the bilateral economic, trade and diplomatic relations.
Kazakhstan – the 9th largest country and landlocked by the other Central Asian Republics (CARs) is a resource-rich state for oil and gas, minerals, metals and smart agricultural practices. So, it could become a hub of regional economic trade and multilateral diplomacy. Kazakhstan is currently a great destination for foreign investment in which direct foreign investment of $28 billion has taken place this year, 2022-23. Similarly, in the last 10 years, foreign investment of $400 billion came to Kazakhstan, which can be estimated to be an attractive country for foreign investment.
For Kazakhstan, it is important to reach out to the ports, and there is a lot of attraction in the ports of Gwadar and Karachi through which Kazakhstan, including Central Asia, can be accessed to the markets of Europe and Africa. Pakistan could have an edge of earning through facilitation of their trade. Kazakhstan is currently the third largest exporter of wheat in the world, which has wide possibilities for cooperation with Pakistan too. Energy deficient Pakistan can also expedite the oil and gas agreements with Kazakhstan that are pending for decades.
Kazakhstan is an important member of the Eurasian Organization, which Pakistan can also benefit from for boosting its real image and efforts the country has made to counter terrorism. Pakistan is also looking for long-term investments in its different sectors and locations. A win-win diplomacy and bilateral trade possibilities can help resolve their diplomatic and money challenges. Both countries also have vast possibilities of cooperation in the fields of agriculture, education and sports – the much less talked about sectors. The role of the media is very important in building ties between the two governments and people. Trade, tourism and culture can knit the well in the traditional bond. Ambassador Kistafin is determined to launch research work on historical linguistic compatibility between Pakistan and Kazakhstan that will give the two countries an opportunity to come closer.
