Pakistan, Kazakhstan reaffirm $1bn trade target, wider connectivity push

Pakistan and Kazakhstan have reaffirmed their goal of US$1bn in bilateral trade within two years, according to a report by Mettis Global. Both sides stressed that goodwill arising from the upgrade to a Strategic Partnership needs to yield tangible economic results. The message came during a farewell call by outgoing Kazakh Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Zardari called for quicker execution of accords and memoranda inked during Tokayev's February 2026 state visit, the first to Pakistan by a Kazakh head of state in 23 years. He flagged openings in textiles, pharmaceuticals, IT, energy, farming, mining and defence production, and urged improved road, rail, air and sea links. He also thanked President Tokayev and the Kazakh government for a US$1m grant to the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund and applauded the launch of a Kazakhstan-Pakistan Artificial Intelligence Centre in Gujranwala.

The Kazakh envoy told the President that Kazakhstan is working to build railway connectivity with Pakistan, and that six working groups on education, IT, agriculture, energy, transport and trade are already operating. He added that several leading international universities have set up campuses in Kazakhstan, giving Pakistani students access to reputed institutions at lower cost, and about 1,000 Pakistani students are currently enrolled in the country. The envoy also said Kazakhstan could serve as a market for Pakistani produce, especially mangoes, guava and falsa, along with other tropical fruit.