Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Yerzhan Kestafin, met with Chairman CDA, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, and DG Civil Defense Muhammad Ali Randhawa at the CDA Headquarters to discuss bilateral cooperation in development, beautification, and eco-friendly initiatives for Islamabad.
The meeting, held in a cordial atmosphere, included senior CDA officials and focused on strengthening ties between Islamabad and Astana, which have enjoyed sister city status since 2004.
Ambassador Kestafin praised CDA’s development efforts and proposed symbolic gestures to deepen cultural ties, suggesting that a road in Astana be named after Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and a road in Islamabad be named after Kazakhstan’s national poet, Abai Qunnanbai. The naming ceremonies are expected during the upcoming visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Pakistan.
Key collaborative projects were discussed, including:
- A state-of-the-art slaughterhouse in Islamabad.
- A one-window business facilitation center.
- A modern football stadium to promote youth sports.
- Support for an industrial exhibition in Islamabad this October.
Both sides agreed to appoint focal persons to ensure close coordination and fast-track implementation of proposed initiatives.
Chairman CDA highlighted Islamabad’s ongoing development projects, such as park restoration, eco-friendly transport, cable cars, and theme parks, emphasizing shared opportunities in trade, tourism, and culture.
The meeting concluded with an invitation for Pakistani officials to visit Astana for further talks, and a souvenir was presented to Ambassador Kestafin as a token of goodwill.
