By Shahid Shah

ISLAMABAD (TSAT) - Kazakhstan is moving to more strenghten its military ties with Pakistan following the recent violent protest in the country earlier this month.

On Monday, Kazakhstan ambassador to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin met the Pakistani military chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at his office in the military headuarter at Rawalpindi, adjecent city with capital Islamabad and dicussed the regional situation and bilateral cooperation between the two countries, said in a statement issued from the embassy. 

During the conversation a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues, in particular, the ones in the military and military-technical fields, were discussed. It was noted that there is a significant potential for further development and building up bilateral partnership, according to the statement.

Kazakh envoy also briefed Pakistani army chief regarding the recent protest and measures taken his government to over come the situation. 

"He [ambassador] spoke  about the reforms announced by K.Tokayev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in particular, in the law enforcement sphere and coordination of law enforcement agencies, the main purpose of which is the well-being and safety of citizens,".

In a separate statemnet, the Pakistan army media-wing ISPR said that Gen. Bajwa hoped that law and order situation in Kazakhstan is restored soon.

Referring to Afghanistan, Pakistani army chief stressed upon the need for sincere international efforts to avert a humanitarian crisis there.

"Pakistan remains committed to cooperate with its international partners for peace in the region," Gen. Bajwa said.

At least 225 people were killed in the recent unrest in Kazakhstan following protests triggered by fuel price increase.

On Jan. 2, protests broke out in Kazakhstan over fuel price hikes which later turned into clashes with police, with the most violent developments taking place in Kazakhstan's former capital and largest city Almaty, according to Anadolu Agency. 

Tokayev turned to a Russia-led military bloc for help, and peacekeepers from Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Tajikistan soon arrived in the country and backed Kazakh law enforcement in restoring order.