Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Wednesday pledged to elevate bilateral trade between the two countries to $1 billion within the next year, during the Kazakh president’s first state visit to Pakistan in 23 years.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Prime Minister’s House, PM Shehbaz described the current trade volume of $250 million as “meagre” and not reflective of the economic potential of both nations. He emphasised that the signing of 37 memoranda of understanding and agreements across sectors, including petroleum, mining, maritime affairs, agriculture, and energy, would provide a strong foundation for boosting trade and investment.
“We are committed to ensuring speedy implementation of these MoUs so that our economic, trade, and cultural relations reach new heights,” the prime minister said, urging business communities from both countries to explore joint ventures. He also highlighted plans for the Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan transport corridor to enhance regional connectivity, and assured Kazakhstan full access to Pakistan’s ports and transit infrastructure.
President Tokayev called Pakistan a “reliable and important partner in South Asia and beyond,” citing centuries-old cultural and historical ties and shared aspirations for the future. He lauded Pakistan’s industrial capacity, economic potential, defence industry, and growing regional and global standing. Tokayev also stressed the importance of transport, logistics, and digital technologies, and confirmed readiness to provide favourable conditions for Pakistani investors in Kazakhstan.
During the visit, leaders discussed expanding cooperation in trade, energy, education, defence, science, and culture. The two countries also agreed to explore resuming direct flights and developing transit routes through Afghanistan, while the Pakistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum is set to bring over 250 companies together to finalise commercial agreements.
The visit underscores Islamabad and Astana’s intent to strengthen economic, political, and people-to-people ties, positioning Pakistan as a land bridge to Central Asia and offering Kazakhstan alternative avenues for international trade.