Pakistan, Kazakhstan Sign Over 30 Agreements, Pledge to Raise Trade to $1 Billion

Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for increasing bilateral trade between Pakistan and Kazakhstan to $1 billion within the next year, as the two countries signed more than 30 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements across a wide range of sectors.

Addressing a joint press conference following the signing ceremony, the prime minister said the current trade volume of approximately $250 million did not reflect the strength of bilateral relations or the vast economic potential of the two countries.

“Unfortunately, our trade volume is a meagre $250 million, which does not reflect the depth of our friendship and the potential of both economies. Let us commit to raising our trade volume to $1 billion within the next one year,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said.

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described Pakistan as a “reliable and important partner in South Asia and beyond,” highlighting the deep historical, cultural, and spiritual ties between the two nations.

“Our people are united by centuries-old ties rooted in the legacy of the great Silk Road, as well as by deep cultural and spiritual affinity,” President Tokayev said, adding that both countries share common values, traditions, and aspirations for the future.

President Tokayev said the two sides had signed a “historic joint declaration” establishing a strategic partnership between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, elevating bilateral relations to a new level.

“By upgrading our relations, we open up immense opportunities to engage across the full spectrum of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” he said.

Earlier, President Tokayev was accorded a warm reception and a guard of honour upon his arrival at the Prime Minister’s House, where he held a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, followed by delegation-level talks.

The Kazakh president, accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior cabinet ministers and officials, is on his first two-day state visit to Pakistan at the invitation of the prime minister.

During the formal welcome ceremony, the national anthems of Pakistan and Kazakhstan were played as both leaders stood on the saluting dais. A contingent of the Pakistan Army, Navy, and Air Force presented the guard of honour, which President Tokayev reviewed. The two leaders later introduced members of their respective delegations.

Following the talks, a signing ceremony was held for memoranda of understanding and agreements aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation. The documents covered areas including United Nations peacekeeping cooperation, mining and petroleum, maritime affairs, prisoner exchange, transit trade, customs cooperation, and railways.

The two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in climate change, virtual assets, plant protection and veterinary services, as well as artificial intelligence and digital development. Officials said the agreements would pave the way for future technical cooperation and a strengthened digital partnership.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal were among the senior officials who attended the signing ceremony.