In Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has ordered a counter-terrorist operation to eliminate threat to national security and to protect lives and properties of the citizens of Kazakhstan.

In a statement, he said large-scale and well-coordinated work is being carried out by the security forces to restore law and order in accordance with the constitution.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said it is in close contact with the Pakistan Embassy in Kazakhstan to provide all possible assistance to the Pakistani community residing there in view of the prevailing situation in that country.

The Embassy has reported that all Pakistanis are safe.

Pakistan Embassy has also established help desks in Nursultan and Almaty to facilitate Pakistanis requiring emergency services.

Kazakhstan authorities have detained Karim Massimov, the former head of the national security committee on suspicion of treason.

The National Security Committee on Saturday in a statement said its former chief, Massimov, was detained on Thursday after the committee launched an investigation into charges of high treason against him.