Pakistan and Kazakhstan on Tuesday pledged to transform their historic and cultural ties into a broad-based economic partnership, with both sides agreeing to enhance trade, industrial cooperation, and regional connectivity.
As per an official statement, the understanding was reached during a meeting in Islamabad between Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Kazakhstan's Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev.
Khan said Pakistan attached "great significance" to its relations with Kazakhstan and wanted to expand them into a comprehensive economic partnership. He noted that current bilateral trade remains far below potential.
Shakkaliyev acknowledged Pakistan's role as a key South Asian partner and expressed confidence bilateral trade could soon reach $1 billion. He identified agriculture, leather, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), and Information Technology (IT) as promising sectors, highlighting Kazakhstan's strong export base in grain, beet, and sunflower oil, which could help Pakistan meet domestic demand after recent flood losses.
Both ministers agreed to cooperate in agricultural products and leather processing. Central Asia often wastes raw hides and sheepskin due to weak processing, while Pakistan's advanced tanning industry offers expertise. The Kazakhstan Leather Association and Pakistan Tannery Association will now connect to formalise this partnership.
A milestone agreement will be the Pakistan-Kazakhstan Transit Trade Agreement, expected to enhance regional connectivity and boost trade flows between Central Asia and South Asia. The ministers also pushed for stronger business-to-business engagement. Pakistan earlier hosted the Pak-Kazakhstan Business Forum in Karachi, where over 250 Pakistani and 80 Kazakh firms participated. Both sides now support joint exhibitions, composite pavilions, and trade missions.
Kazakhstan's Gas Trade and Pakistan's Trade Development Authority (TDAP) will coordinate in matchmaking and B2B meetings. Progress under the 13th Pakistan-Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) and follow-up initiatives like the Globe Pakistan Summit were also reviewed.
Separately, a Kazakh delegation led by Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev held talks with Pakistan's Ministry of Maritime Affairs to expand cooperation in seaports and connectivity.
Officials discussed linking Central Asia with the Arabian Sea via Pakistan's ports and transport corridors. Karachi Port Trust and Port Qasim Authority highlighted available capacity and stressed Gwadar's role as a dedicated terminal for Central Asian cargo. Incentives, including exemptions and logistics facilities, were presented to the Kazakh side. Kazakhstan's transport minister expressed strong interest in maritime cooperation and long-term collaboration with Pakistan.
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