Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, Ms Wajiha Qamar, on Friday said Pakistan and Kazakhstan were further strengthening their strategic partnership through enhanced cooperation in education, human capital development and youth empowerment.
She said these remarks while addressing a ceremony of gratitude organized by the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund (PAK-EEF) to acknowledge the US$1 million in humanitarian assistance extended by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the people of Pakistan.
The ceremony was attended by Yerzhan Kistafin, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, PAK-EEF Chief Executive Officer Ms. Hajra Suhail, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and senior officials of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and PAK-EEF.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister expressed profound gratitude to the Government and people of Kazakhstan for their generous support, describing it as a reflection of the enduring friendship, mutual trust and growing strategic partnership between the two countries.
She said the humanitarian assistance complemented the Education Emergency initiative launched by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring that every child has access to quality education and market-driven skills for a brighter future.
She said the recent elevation of Pakistan-Kazakhstan relations to a Strategic Partnership had opened new avenues for collaboration in education, scholarships, technical and vocational training, and human capital development. She added that partnerships with friendly countries such as Kazakhstan complemented Pakistan’s national efforts to strengthen its education system and invest in its greatest asset, its youth.
Earlier, PAK-EEF Chief Executive Officer Ms. Hajra Suhail said Kazakhstan’s humanitarian contribution reflected the strong friendship and mutual confidence between the two countries. She reaffirmed PAK-EEF’s commitment to managing educational initiatives with transparency, merit and accountability, adding that the partnership would create meaningful opportunities for deserving students while further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Pakistan in education, scholarships and people-to-people exchanges. He emphasized that investing in education was an investment in a shared, peaceful and prosperous future for both nations.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed commitment by Pakistan and Kazakhstan to further deepen cooperation in education, scholarships and human capital development, reinforcing the longstanding friendship and strategic partnership between the two brotherly countries.