Islamabad, 10 July 2026 – At the invitation of the President of the Pakistan Chess Federation, Mr. Zeeshan Ali Naqvi, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Yerzhan Kistafin, attended as the Guest of Honour the opening ceremony of the Pakistan National Chess Championship 2026.

The ceremony was also attended by the Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination of Pakistan, Mr. Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, the Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board, Mr. Yasir Hussain, the President of the Pakistan Chess Federation, Mr. Zeeshan Ali Naqvi, as well as other distinguished guests.

In his remarks, Ambassador Y.Kistafin highlighted the dynamic development of Kazakhstan-Pakistan cooperation in the field of sports, including chess, boxing, Qazaq Kuresi, and other sporting disciplines. He emphasized that the expanding cooperation between the sports federations of the two countries contributes to strengthening the bonds of friendship, enhancing people-to-people ties, and promoting the exchange of experience between athletes and coaches.

In turn, Federal Secretary Mr. A.Mohyuddin and President of the Pakistan Chess Federation Mr. Z.A.Naqvi expressed their appreciation to the Kazakhstan side for its continued support in the development of chess in Pakistan. They particularly acknowledged Kazakhstan's contribution to the establishment of the Chess Academy in Islamabad, the organization of online and offline masterclasses for local chess players, as well as its support for the development of other sports. The Pakistani side also reaffirmed its strong commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the fields of sport and sports diplomacy.

The Embassy of Kazakhstan extends its best wishes to all participants of the Pakistan National Chess Championship 2026 and wishes them every success and new sporting achievements.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-islamabad/press/news/details/1257436?lang=ru