ISLAMABAD, Jun 15 (APP): Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Ehsan ur Rehman Mazari has welcomed the start of direct flights from Karachi to Almaty this year, saying it would boost people to people contact between the two friendly countries.

The ambassador from Kazakhstan Yerzhan Kistafin called on the minister Wednesday and informed the minister that initially two flights in a week would be started from Karachi to Almaty and the number will increase up to 5 in coming months.

The ambassador from Kazakhstan Yerzhan Kistafin called on Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Ehsan ur Rehman Mazari on Wednesday.

In the meeting, the ambassador proposed that there were various areas of cooperation between both brotherly countries specifically in tourism and sports which could bring two nations even closer.

Yerzhan Kistafin informed the minister that recently a large exhibition of Pakistan (Gilgit-Baltistan) products was arranged in the largest metropolis Almaty.

Moreover, various business groups, tourist groups visited Pakistan and Kazakhstan was keen to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding tourism with Pakistan.

The minister welcomed the proposals and said we were also looking forward to take these friendly relations to new heights specifically in sphere of sports involving youth from both the nations.

He said both nations enjoy 30 years of diplomatic relations and we have to work mutually for extending these beyond the current status.

The minister said Pakistan was a home to the world’s second highest mountain in the world K-2 along with other high peaks, this could be a greatest attraction for mountaineers from Kazakhstan.

Moreover, both agreed to work at their respective ends for enhancing the bilateral trade and expand its volume which is currently not very high.