ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - President of Kazakhstan, H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, arrived in Islamabad on a high-level diplomatic visit aimed at enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and regional connectivity between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed President Tokayev at the Prime Minister’s House, where a guard of honour was presented in his honour.
During a joint press conference Pakistan and Kazakhstan signed 37 agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) across multiple sectors, including petroleum, mining, maritime affairs, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and infrastructure development, as part of efforts to boost bilateral trade and investment.
Speaking at the ceremony, PM Shehbaz welcomed President Tokayev, noting that it was “the first visit by a Kazakh president in 23 years.” He described the day’s meetings as “very productive” and said the 37 MoUs signed should soon be converted into actionable agreements, with a focus on speedy implementation. “If we turn these MoUs into reality, our economic, trade, and cultural relations will reach new heights,” he added.
Separately, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan met with Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shaqqaliev to discuss expanding economic cooperation, connectivity, and investment. Both sides emphasised the importance of improving rail, road, and multimodal transport links to strengthen trade and foster long-term regional economic engagement.
The Kazakh delegation highlighted the strategic value of infrastructure projects aimed at connecting Central Asia with South Asia, China, Europe, and other global markets, including through Pakistani ports. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said enhanced transit routes would benefit not only Pakistan and Kazakhstan but also broader regional and global trade.
Discussions also covered priority sectors such as agriculture, food security, pharmaceuticals, textiles, sports goods, leather, mining and minerals, energy, and infrastructure development. Both sides agreed to promote structured business-to-business (B2B) engagement, including trade missions, exhibitions, and the exchange of delegations, while working to finalise a framework document outlining trade targets and sectoral priorities.
The visit provides an “important and timely opportunity” for Islamabad and Astana to review bilateral relations comprehensively, according to the Foreign Office. Discussions are expected to cover trade, logistics, regional connectivity, people-to-people contacts, and cooperation at regional and international forums.
The two countries share historically friendly relations, with Kazakhstan being Pakistan’s largest export destination in Central Asia. President Tokayev is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including senior cabinet ministers and officials, and streets in Islamabad were reportedly adorned with Kazakhstan’s national flag in his honour.