PM Shehbaz eyes $1bn trade volume as Pakistan, Kazakhstan ink over 30 MoUs

• PM receives Kazakhstan president at PM House entrance.
• Contingent of armed forces presented guard of honour.
• Two leaders introduce respective delegations to each other.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday urged an increase in trade volume between Pakistan and Kazakhstan to $1 billion as both countries signed over 30 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in several sectors, including petroleum, mining, and maritime affairs.

Addressing a joint press conference after the signing ceremony, the prime minister said the existing level of trade between Islamabad and Astana did not reflect the true strength of relations or the economic potential of the two sides.

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

Earlier, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was accorded a warm reception and a guard of honour as he arrived at the Prime Minister’s House to hold one-on-one meeting with PM Shehbaz.

Accompanied by a high-level delegation, comprising senior cabinet ministers and other high-ranking officials, the Kazakhstan president arrived in Islamabad for his first two-day state visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz.

As the visiting dignitary arrived, the prime minister received him at the entrance of the PM House, where the formal reception took place.

The national anthems of Kazakhstan and Pakistan were played while both leaders stood on the saluting dais.

A smartly attired contingent of the three services of the Pakistan armed forces presented the guard of honour, which President Tokayev reviewed.

The two leaders introduced their respective delegations to each other before proceeding for one-on-one meeting, followed by talks at the delegation level.

During the talks, the two sides will review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore new avenues to further deepen cooperation across diverse sectors. Both sides will also sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements to boost bilateral ties.

Later, the Kazakh president also planted a commemorative sapling in the lawn of the Prime Minister’s House.

The route of the Kazakhstan leader’s motorcade and main avenues of the federal capital were decorated with Pakistani and Kazakhstan flags as well as the large portraits of President Tokayev.

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a one-on-one meeting with Kazakhstan president, the Foreign Office said on X.

Welcoming President Tokayev to Pakistan, the deputy premier extended warm greetings from President Asif Ali Zardari, PM Shehbaz, the government, and people of Pakistan.

He underscored Pakistan’s appreciation for the growing momentum of high-level political exchanges.

Dar also reaffirmed the shared commitment to expand bilateral cooperation across political, economic, and people-to-people domains, and to work together for durable peace, stability, and development in the region.

PM offers Gwadar, Karachi ports to Central Asian states

Later, PM Shehbaz and the Kazakh president attended the Pakistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum, where the PM offered Pakistan's deep-sea ports at Gwadar and Karachi to Central Asian states.

Addressing the forum, the premier emphasised plans to expand rail and road links via Turkmenistan and Afghanistan and reaffirmed commitment to a landmark connectivity project that could transform economic integration between Pakistan, Kazakhstan and the entire Central Asian region.

"Pakistan is fully committed to participate and contribute meaningfully in undertaking this project, as it will be a game-changer not only between our two countries, but this will change the landscape economically in the entire region," he added.

PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan's state-owned logistics entities were prepared to facilitate the movement of goods from Central Asia to Pakistani ports and onward to international destinations.

He described regional rail and road connectivity, particularly the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan corridor, as a potential game-changer for the entire region.

PM Shehbaz also announced the formation of a joint working group aimed at preparing a five-year roadmap to enhance trade, commerce and bilateral investment.

He appointed Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal as head of the Pakistani side, while Kazakhstan nominated its deputy prime minister to lead its delegation.

The premier said that the roadmap was expected to be finalised and signed during his visit to Kazakhstan later this year.

Addressing the forum, the Kazakh president said his state visit marked a turning point in Pakistan-Kazakhstan relations, adding that a joint declaration had elevated ties to the strategic partnership level.

President Tokayev said trade turnover between the two countries nearly doubled last year, and over 200 Pakistani companies were operating in Kazakhstan in sectors including construction, agriculture and food processing.

The Kazakh president outlined four priority areas for cooperation, such as transport and logistics; agriculture and food security; digitalisation; and education.

He welcomed Islamabad's participation in regional transit corridors and highlighted Kazakhstan’s role as a major hub for Eurasian trade.

The president also officially invited PM Shehbaz for a state visit to Kazakhstan later this year.