ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT ): 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 H.E. Khazar Farhadov, outgoing Ambassador of Azerbaijan, and H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin, outgoing Ambassador of Kazakhstan.
The event brought together prominent figures from Pakistan’s business and diplomatic community, reflecting the deep and historic ties between Pakistan and the two Central Asian nations.
The gathering was attended by UBG Patron S.M. Tanvir, FPCCI President Atif Ikram, ambassadors, high commissioners, and leading members of the business community.
In his address, Ahsan Bakhtawari, President of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry paid glowing tributes to the outgoing envoys. He acknowledged their invaluable contributions in strengthening bilateral relations, promoting trade, and enhancing people-to-people contacts. He wished them continued success in their future diplomatic assignments.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of Azerbaijan H.E. Khazar Farhadov expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Bakhtawari family for the warm and gracious farewell. He highlighted key achievements during his tenure, terming the launch of direct flights between Azerbaijan and Pakistan as a milestone in enhancing connectivity.
Ambassador Farhadov also noted the significant growth in trade and economic activity, the regular exchange of high-level delegations, and the introduction of the ASAN visa scheme, which simplified travel for Pakistani citizens through online applications. He emphasized that these initiatives had played a vital role in boosting both business-to-business and people-to-people ties between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, and laid the groundwork for deeper cooperation in energy, tourism, and culture.
In his farewell remarks, Ambassador of Kazakhstan H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin underscored the importance his country attaches to its relations with Pakistan. Reflecting on his five-year tenure in Islamabad, he spoke about the progress achieved through high-level political dialogue and business delegations.
He recalled the brief launch of direct flights between Pakistan and Kazakhstan and expressed hope that the air link would soon be re-established to further facilitate trade and tourism. Ambassador Kistafin thanked the government and people of Pakistan for their hospitality, warmth, and friendship, stating that the experiences and memories from his time in Pakistan would remain with him.
Additional Foreign Secretary Hamid Asghar Khan also addressed the gathering. He lauded the role of the outgoing ambassadors in advancing diplomatic, economic, and cultural cooperation. He noted that their dedicated efforts had helped lay a strong foundation for future collaboration and regional connectivity under frameworks that promote mutual prosperity.
In his concluding remarks, Zafar Bakhtawari* praised both ambassadors for their commitment, vision, and service. He emphasized that their tenure had been instrumental in fostering closer ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, and Pakistan and Kazakhstan, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, and regional integration. He reiterated UBG’s commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen Pakistan’s economic diplomacy.
The evening concluded with the presentation of souvenirs to the outgoing ambassadors as a token of appreciation and goodwill from the business community of Pakistan.
This farewell dinner not only celebrated the distinguished service and achievements of the outgoing envoys but also reaffirmed the commitment of Pakistan’s business and diplomatic leadership to strengthening regional partnerships, enhancing connectivity, and promoting shared prosperity in the region.
