ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari stated on Wednesday that the recently signed Roadmap for Trade and Economic Cooperation 2025-2027 between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, along with agreements on transit trade, customs cooperation, and banking, will help eliminate practical barriers and create new opportunities for trade, investment, and business cooperation.
In a meeting with visiting Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Zardari said that Pakistan and Kazakhstan are firmly committed to expanding cooperation in political, economic, and regional areas.
He also affirmed Pakistan’s readiness to collaborate closely with Kazakhstan to further their shared goals of peace, connectivity, and sustainable development.
The two leaders welcomed the signing of a substantial number of bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding, as well as steps aimed at strengthening bilateral linkages.
They expressed confidence that these outcomes would provide renewed momentum to mutual ties and help realise the significant untapped potential of economic cooperation.
The two presidents first held a one-on-one meeting, during which they exchanged views on key bilateral, regional and international issues, which was followed by an extended meeting with their respective delegations.
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Talking to his Kazakh counterpart, Zardari underscored the importance of leveraging Pakistan’s facilities and frameworks in areas such as energy, agriculture, mining, information technology, and defence production.
Zardari emphasised the crucial role of regional connectivity in enhancing Pakistan-Kazakhstan relations. He welcomed the progress on rail and road linkages, particularly the Central Asia–South Asia (CASA) Railway Alignment Project, as well as the effective use of the Quadrilateral Transit Trade Agreement (QTTA) routes.
He noted that improved connectivity, alongside better air links and access to Pakistani ports, would not only foster bilateral trade but also promote broader regional integration and economic stability.
He noted that the visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the first by a Kazakh head of state in over two decades, provides a timely opportunity to reinvigorate bilateral ties and translate political goodwill into concrete outcomes through expanded cooperation and stronger institutional linkages.
Exchanging views on regional and international developments, Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace, dialogue and respect for international law.
He stressed the need for collective efforts to promote stability in South Asia and the broader region and emphasised that regional challenges should be addressed through cooperation rather than confrontation.
President Tokayev said that Kazakhstan attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan and regards the partnership as a key pillar of regional cooperation.
He expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral ties and reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to working closely with Pakistan to strengthen connectivity, expand economic cooperation and promote peace and stability in the region.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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