Kazakh envoy says stronger rail and road links key to expanding Pakistan–Central Asia trade
ISLAMABAD:Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, has stressed that improved rail, road and air connectivity is essential for expanding trade between Pakistan and Central Asia and unlocking future cooperation in energy, transit and investment.
Addressing a reception hosted for senior journalists at the Embassy of Kazakhstan on Monday, Ambassador Kistafin said regional infrastructure would determine the future scale of economic engagement between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
He maintained that stronger transport networks were indispensable for realising the full potential of bilateral trade and wider economic integration between Central and South Asia.
The ambassador said major regional projects, including the North-South Transport Corridor and the Middle Corridor, could become significant drivers of commerce, logistics and investment in the coming years.
He noted that better connectivity would not only increase the movement of goods but also create opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector, where effective transport and transit infrastructure remained a critical requirement.
Ambassador Kistafin said Kazakhstan had emerged as one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies, with annual gross domestic product approaching $300 billion and per capita GDP standing at approximately $15,000.
He added that inflation had remained within single digits, while stable macroeconomic indicators and investor-friendly policies had strengthened Kazakhstan’s position as an attractive destination for regional and international investment.
Discussing Kazakhstan’s political and constitutional transformation, the ambassador said the country had introduced wide-ranging reforms aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, improving governance and ensuring sustainable economic development.
He said nearly 300 new laws had been enacted during the past three years, providing the legislative foundation for Kazakhstan’s political, constitutional and economic transformation.
According to the envoy, the constitutional reforms were designed to strengthen representative institutions, expand public participation in governance and promote greater accountability within the political system.
He said the vision of a “New Kazakhstan” focused on building a transparent, inclusive and responsible state capable of responding effectively to the aspirations of its citizens.
Ambassador Kistafin said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was leading a comprehensive reform agenda centred on institutional strengthening, economic diversification, infrastructure modernisation, digital transformation and investment in human capital.
These reforms, he said, were intended to ensure long-term economic resilience, improve competitiveness and support sustainable national development.
Reviewing his nearly five-year diplomatic tenure in Pakistan, Ambassador Kistafin said relations between Kazakhstan and Pakistan had witnessed notable progress across political, diplomatic and economic fields.
The ambassador, who is expected to complete his assignment in the coming months, said the two countries had significantly increased high-level engagement during his tenure.
He highlighted exchanges involving Kazakhstan’s president, prime minister, foreign ministers and other senior officials, saying these visits had contributed to stronger political understanding and broader bilateral cooperation.
Ambassador Kistafin said several institutional mechanisms had also been established, including a bilateral Business Council and joint working groups dealing with trade, information technology and education.
He said these platforms were helping the two countries identify new opportunities for investment, business partnerships, technology cooperation and knowledge exchange.
The envoy reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to strengthening economic diplomacy with Pakistan and advancing regional integration through practical connectivity initiatives.
He stressed that improved rail, road and air links would facilitate not only bilateral commerce but also energy cooperation, transit trade, logistics services and investment flows across Central and South Asia.
Ambassador Kistafin expressed confidence that sustained political commitment and the development of modern transport infrastructure could transform the Pakistan-Kazakhstan strategic partnership into a comprehensive economic relationship.
He said such cooperation would benefit not only the two countries but also the wider region by promoting trade, connectivity, economic integration and shared prosperity.
