Kazakh President to Visit Pakistan in November: A New Era of Economic and Digital Cooperation Expected
Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, announced on Monday that the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, will visit Pakistan in November this year — a visit he described as a milestone in strengthening economic and trade relations between the two countries.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Embassy of Kazakhstan, Ambassador Kistafin said the visit aims to elevate bilateral trade, with both sides targeting $1 billion in trade volume within the next two years. He noted that the potential for bilateral trade stands at $14 billion, and both countries are working toward unlocking this potential through enhanced cooperation.
To achieve these goals, Joint Working Groups (JWGs) from both nations will convene in September to discuss collaboration across six key sectors — information technology, agriculture, education, defence, trade, and tourism. The meetings will also include negotiations on several agreements, particularly in the areas of trade and logistics.
Ambassador Kistafin said both sides are committed to swiftly preparing and signing agreements in priority sectors to ensure their “practical implementation.”
Highlighting Kazakhstan’s vision for regional connectivity, the ambassador urged Pakistan to join the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor projects. He emphasized that these strategic routes would not only strengthen East-West connectivity but also integrate Pakistan’s Gwadar Port with Central Asian and European trade networks.
“These connectivity corridors will directly link Pakistan with Kazakhstan’s ports and transcontinental markets, including the European Union, and Central and South Asian states,” Kistafin noted.
He reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s strong support for the Pakistan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan Transit Railway Project, calling it vital for regional trade integration.
The ambassador also shed light on Kazakhstan’s digital transformation agenda under President Tokayev. He said that on September 8 in Astana, President Tokayev unveiled a national action plan on artificial intelligence and digital transformation, aiming to transform Kazakhstan into a digitized state within the next three years. The roadmap includes the promotion of cryptocurrency, digital customs systems, and AI-based trade facilitation projects.
Kistafin highlighted that during the 8th Congress of World and Traditional Religious Leaders, held on September 17 in Astana, President Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with China, Central Asia, the EU, Russia, and South Asian countries. The President also pledged to hold transparent elections in 2027 and prioritize food security, environmental protection of the Caspian Sea, and youth training in AI technologies.
The ambassador announced plans to organize a large business forum in Karachi later this year, where agreements will be signed to promote cooperation in sports, education, and culture.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Kistafin emphasized that both Pakistan and Kazakhstan occupy vital geo-strategic positions and are poised to play leading roles in advancing regional economic and trade integration.
