Islamabad, Aug 20: A direct flight from Kazakhstan to Skardu, a stunning area of Gilgit-Baltistan, may not be ruled out, according to Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, on Tuesday. This would increase bilateral tourism.
“After the recent start of international flights from Skardu International Airport, we have an opportunity to increase bilateral tourism by launching this one-hour direct flight from Kazakhstan to Skardu,” he stated.
The Ambassador informed APP that the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in Skardu will also be in charge of organizing the “International Tourism Summit.” He claimed that this program would improve bilateral ties while also strengthening people-to-people ties between the two nations, which he described as the foundation of all interactions.
He stated that improving road and air linkages as well as economic integration were necessary for the advancement of relations between Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Central Asia. According to the ambassador, Pakistan and Kazakhstan’s reciprocal diplomatic, commercial, and trade relations are growing stronger over time.
According to him, significant progress has been made toward a bilateral agreement that will enhance trade and economic relations between the two nations by promoting transit commerce. According to Yerzhan Kistafin, improving bilateral relations required the exchange of business delegations.
The ambassador stated that there was a need to explore Gilgit-Baltistan’s potential in a number of areas, such as traditional tourism, adventure tourism with a focus on medicine and culture, hydropower, mining and precious stone extraction, minerals and natural resources, agriculture which includes growing fruits and vegetables and water resources.
According to Yerzhan Kistafin, six of the world’s largest mountain peaks are located in Pakistan’s northern area, which is rich in natural beauty.In response to a query, he stated that more effort was needed in this area and that bilateral trade was still well below its potential.
According to the ambassador, the business community in both nations needs to do its share to promote tourism-related collaboration, with the private sector playing a crucial role in this regard.He said that a variety of historical, religious, and cultural ties linked Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
