Islamabad opens Gwadar and Karachi ports to Central Asian states, aiming to transform regional trade corridors and deepen economic integration
By S.M. Inam/Mehrab Shah Afridi
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for an increase in trade between Pakistan and Kazakhstan to $1 billion. The appeal came as the two countries signed more than 30 memoranda of understanding across sectors including petroleum, mining and maritime affairs.
Speaking at a joint press conference after the signing ceremony, the prime minister said current trade levels did not reflect the full strength of bilateral relations or the economic potential of both nations. “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 year,” he said. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was accorded a warm reception and a guard of honour on his arrival at the Prime Minister’s House for a one-on-one meeting with Shehbaz Sharif.
Accompanied by a high-level delegation including senior cabinet ministers and officials, President Tokayev arrived in Islamabad for his first two-day state visit at the invitation of the prime minister. The formal reception included the playing of the national anthems of Kazakhstan and Pakistan while both leaders stood on the saluting dais.
A contingent from the three branches of the Pakistan armed forces presented the guard of honor, which President Tokayev reviewed. The leaders then introduced their delegations before holding private talks, followed by delegation-level discussions.
The talks will cover the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore new avenues for cooperation across multiple sectors. Several MoUs and agreements were signed to strengthen ties. Later, President Tokayev planted a commemorative sapling in the lawn of the Prime Minister’s House.
The route of his motorcade and major avenues of the capital were decorated with the flags of both countries and large portraits of the Kazakh president. Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a one-on-one meeting with President Tokayev, the Foreign Office said on X.
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