Nadeem Faisal Baiga
ISLAMABAD: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan visited Pakistan on February 3–4, marking a historic shift in bilateral relations from ceremonial diplomacy to actionable strategic and economic collaboration. The visit focused on transforming Kazakhstan from “landlocked” to “land-linked,” using Pakistan as a gateway to global trade.
Over 30 commercial agreements worth $200 million were signed, including contracts for 600 electric buses to Pakistan and the construction of a sugar factory by Pakistan’s Almoiz Group in Kazakhstan. A Joint Declaration establishing a Strategic Partnership elevated the relationship to a long-term, alliance-oriented framework, complemented by agreements on transit trade, customs cooperation, and AI collaboration.
Key initiatives include linking Kazakhstan’s Aktau port with Karachi and Gwadar through a multimodal corridor, positioning Pakistan as a hub for Central Asian and African trade. The visit also emphasized academic and research collaboration to support innovation and infrastructure planning.
The partnership promises mutual benefits: securing energy and export markets for Pakistan, and providing Kazakhstan with independent access to southern sea routes and diversified trade channels. The roadmap sets phased goals from operationalizing agreements in 2026–2027 to large-scale infrastructure modernization by 2030, establishing a new geoeconomic reality for both nations.
