Pakistan, Kazakhstan sign 30-plus MoUs as Shehbaz seeks $1b trade target

Leaders agree on strategic partnership during Tokayev’s first state visit

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for raising trade between Pakistan and Kazakhstan to $1 billion within a year as the two countries signed more than 30 memoranda of understanding (MoU) and agreements across multiple sectors.

Addressing a joint press conference after the signing ceremony, Shehbaz said the current level of trade did not reflect the strength of bilateral ties or the economic potential of the two countries.

“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 $1b within the next one year,” he said.

براہِ راست: پاکستان اور قازقستان کے درمیان مختلف شعبوں میں مفاہمتی یادداشتوں اور معاہدوں کی تقریب https://t.co/wRW6dyUULz

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 4, 2026

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described Pakistan as a “reliable and important partner in South Asia and beyond”.

“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,” Tokayev said.

“Our nations share common values, traditions and joint aspirations for the future,” he added.

Tokayev said the two sides had “signed a historical document — a joint declaration — on establishing a strategic partnership between Pakistan and Kazakhstan”.

“By elevating our relations to a new level, we open up immense opportunities to engage across the full spectrum of bilateral and multilateral agendas,” he said.

H.E Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and held bilateral Meetings at Prime Minister House at Islamabad

His Excellency Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was warmly… pic.twitter.com/TcRCJOEssf

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) February 4, 2026

Earlier, President Tokayev was accorded a warm reception and a guard of honour on his arrival at the PM House, where he held a one-on-one meeting with PM Shehbaz 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.

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

براہِ راست: قازقستان کے صدر قاسم جومارت توکایووف کی وزیراعظم ہاؤس آمد https://t.co/iB6SEd8hGL

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 4, 2026

Following the talks, a signing ceremony was held for MoU and agreements aimed at expanding cooperation. Documents were exchanged covering areas including UN peacekeeping cooperation, mining and petroleum, maritime affairs, prisoner exchange, transit trade, customs cooperation and railways.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate in climate change, virtual assets, protection and veterinary services, as well as artificial intelligence and digital development. Officials said the agreements would support future technical cooperation and digital partnership.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal attended the ceremony.

Tokayev arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday and was received at Nur Khan Airbase by PM Shehbaz and President Asif Ali Zardari. A six-member squadron of Pakistan Air Force fighter jets paid an aerial salute as his aircraft entered Pakistani airspace.

Later, Tokayev planted a commemorative sapling on the lawn of the PM House. Roads along his motorcade route in Islamabad were decorated with Pakistani and Kazakh flags and large portraits of the visiting president.

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev planting a sapling at Prime Minister's House. Islamabad, 4 February 2026. pic.twitter.com/1jeclrPqHO

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) February 4, 2026

During the visit, Tokayev is also expected to meet President Zardari. The talks are expected to cover trade, logistics, regional connectivity, people-to-people contacts and cooperation at regional and international forums.

Separately, FM Dar called on President Tokayev. According to a Foreign Office statement, Dar conveyed greetings from Pakistan’s leadership and reaffirmed the shared commitment to expand cooperation across political, economic and people-to-people domains, and to work together for peace, stability and development in the region.

Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 called on the President of the Republic of #Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev @TokayevKZ, who is visiting Pakistan on a two-day official visit.

Welcoming him to Pakistan, DPM/FM extended warm… pic.twitter.com/8ijVMgnbXd

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 4, 2026

Address to Pakistan Kazakhstan Business Forum

Speaking at the Pakistan Kazakhstan Business Forum, PM Shehbaz welcomed PresidentTokayev and expressed optimism about expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two nations.

"I am extremely delighted to welcome my dear brother ... to this wonderful event where outstanding businessmen from Kazakhstan and Pakistan are participating," the prime minister said. "This will augur wonderfully well for our future."

The premier highlighted extensive discussions held earlier in the day on enhancing trade, culture, IT, minerals, and connectivity between the two countries.

He emphasised Pakistan's strategic advantage as a gateway for landlocked Central Asian countries, offering access to the ports of Gwadar and Karachi. "The NLC, a very efficient state-owned company of Pakistan, is fully geared to transport goods from Central Asian countries to our ports and then from Karachi and Gwadar to Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries," he said.

The prime minister expressed Pakistan's commitment to developing rail and road connections through Turkmenistan and Afghanistan to Chaman. "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 will change the landscape economically in the entire region," he stated.

Acknowledging the gap between existing trade levels and the potential for cooperation, PM Shehbaz noted that bilateral trade currently stood at around $250m. "This is not a fair reflection of our brotherly relations and the infinite potential the two countries have in various walks of industry, agriculture and mining, IT, pharmaceuticals, engineering, manufacturing, and all other important areas of commerce and trade," he said.

The two countries agreed to strive for a bilateral trade target of $1b within the next two years.

A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to establish a joint working group tasked with developing a five-year programme to enhance commerce, trade, and bilateral investment. Pakistan appointed Iqbal to head its side, while Kazakhstan will be represented by its deputy prime minister.

"I think this will be a very important decision leading to a wonderful five-year roadmap," PM Shehbaz said, adding that he planned to sign the agreement during his visit to Kazakhstan later this year, following an invitation from President Tokayev.