November 29, 2025
Web desk
The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Pakistan organized a roundtable in Islamabad to discuss the outcomes of the 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in Astana on September 17–18, 2025. The session highlighted the significance of Kazakhstan’s initiative in promoting global interfaith harmony.
The event was jointly organized with the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) and the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), bringing together government officials, scholars, religious representatives, and students. Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, attended as the chief guest and led the Pakistani delegation at the Congress.
Speakers included Minister of State Kesoo Mal Kheeal Das Kohistani, Punjab’s Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, IIUI’s Director General Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zia Ul Haq, and Kelly Johnson from the Church of Jesus Christ. From Kazakhstan, Marat Kalizhanov of the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue joined the discussion online.
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, briefed the participants on the history and objectives of the Congress, emphasizing the importance of the Final Declaration. Minister Yousaf praised the Astana Declaration as a practical framework for strengthening global harmony and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace, respect, and interfaith cooperation.
