Saifullah Ansar/DNA
Islamabad: A distinguished farewell dinner was hosted by Zafar Bakhtawari, Secretary General of the United Business Group (UBG) and Chairman of D Watson Group, in honor of the outgoing ambassadors of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. The event brought together prominent figures from Pakistan’s business and diplomatic community, reflecting the deep ties between the nations.
The dinner was attended by UBG Patron S.M. Tanir, FPCCI President Atif Ikram, ambassadors, high commissioners, and leading members of the business community. Among the notable speakers was Ahsan Bakhtawari, President of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who paid glowing tributes to the outgoing envoys. He acknowledged their invaluable contributions in strengthening bilateral relations and wished them success in their future endeavors.
In his address, Ambassador of Azerbaijan Khazar Farhadov expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Bakhtawari family for the warm farewell. He highlighted key achievements during his tenure, including the launch of direct flights between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, which he described as a milestone in enhancing connectivity. He also noted the growth in trade and economic activity, the exchange of high-level delegations, and the introduction of the ASAN visa scheme, which simplified travel through online applications. Farhadov emphasized that these initiatives had significantly boosted people-to-people and business-to-business ties.
Ambassador of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Kistafin, in his farewell remarks, underscored the importance his country places on relations with Pakistan. Reflecting on his five-year tenure, he mentioned the progress made through high-level talks and delegations. He recalled the brief launch of direct flights between the two countries, expressing hope that such a link would soon be re-established. Kistafin thanked the people of Pakistan for their hospitality and friendship, which he said had left a lasting impression.
Additional Foreign Secretary Hamid Asghar Khan also addressed the gathering, lauding the role of the outgoing ambassadors in advancing diplomatic and economic cooperation. He noted that their efforts had laid a strong foundation for future collaboration.
In his concluding remarks, Zafar Bakhtawari praised the ambassadors for their dedication and service, emphasizing their role in fostering closer ties between Pakistan and their respective countries. The evening ended with the presentation of souvenirs to the ambassadors, symbolizing appreciation and goodwill.
This farewell dinner not only celebrated the achievements of the outgoing envoys but also reaffirmed the commitment of Pakistan’s business and diplomatic community to strengthening regional partnerships and promoting mutual prosperity.
