Pakistan and Kazakhstan have vowed to boost cooperation in energy sector.

The resolve came at a meeting between Kazakhstan ambassador to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin and minister of state for petroleum Dr Musadik Malik, according to a media statement, reports WealthPK.

The minister noted the importance of energy cooperation between both countries. He appreciated the brotherly relations and long-standing affinity between the peoples of the two countries.

Musadik Malik remarked that Pakistan could benefit greatly from the huge energy reserves of Kazakhstan. “Not only the immediate energy demands of Pakistan can be met but also Islamabad can serve as a gateway via Gwadar to the energy products of Kazakhstan and be a partner in global energy trade,” he noted.

Yerzhan Kistafin noted that Kazakhstan and Pakistan had huge trade potential. He pointed out that last year the bilateral trade volume between the two countries amounted to $200 million.

“Kazakhstan is very close to signing the transit trade agreement with Pakistan as well. The country has huge oil, gas and coal reserves that provide a great opportunity to enhance energy partnership between the two countries,” he stressed.

The federal state minister assured complete assistance on energy cooperation and stressed that Pakistan was open to new energy corridors. “The rapidly increasing energy needs of the country coupled with the Russia-Ukraine conflict has highlighted the importance of diversification for Pakistan in its energy sector. In this regard, the joint working group on energy will be made effective and direct talks between energy ministers of both the countries will be held in near future,” he said.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk