Pakistan and Kazakhstan on Wednesday established a formal Strategic Partnership, signing a joint declaration and 37 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at significantly expanding bilateral cooperation, including an ambitious target to increase two-way trade to USD 1 billion within the next two years.
The agreements were the cornerstone of an official visit by Kazakhstan”s President, His Excellency Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who was received by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House. An official welcome ceremony was held, which included an inspection of the Guard of Honour.
The two leaders held a one-on-one meeting, also attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, COAS and CDF. This was followed by broader delegation-level talks involving key cabinet ministers from both nations.
During the discussions, the visit was noted for its significance, marking the first trip to Pakistan by a Kazakh president in 23 years. The leaders assessed the full range of bilateral ties, expressing satisfaction with the increasing frequency of high-level engagements and the effectiveness of existing institutional frameworks.
Both sides reiterated their mutual resolve to bolster collaboration across political, economic, defence, and people-to-people domains.
Prime Minister Sharif pointed to the recent steady growth in trade volumes but emphasised that significant untapped potential remains. Consequently, the two nations mutually consented to elevate bilateral trade to the USD 1 billion benchmark over the coming two years.
To achieve this, it was agreed that enhanced engagement between the private sectors of both countries would be crucial. The recent convening of the Pakistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum was acknowledged as a constructive measure to foster these commercial and investment linkages.
Discussions also centred on improving regional connectivity and transport infrastructure. Both leaders stressed the need to advance cooperation on road, rail, air, and maritime links, highlighting the importance of transit trade arrangements and regional corridors for shared prosperity.
The dialogue also covered potential cooperation in the fields of education, culture, tourism, and energy. The importance of academic exchanges was recognised as vital for strengthening long-term relations.
A new Working Committee will be formed, comprising senior ministers and officials, tasked with creating a five-year roadmap to implement the expansion of trade and economic cooperation.
President Tokayev conveyed his gratitude for the hospitality and extended an invitation to Prime Minister Sharif to visit Kazakhstan before the end of the current year. The Prime Minister accepted, reaffirming Pakistan”s desire to work closely with Kazakhstan for regional peace, connectivity, and development.