Pakistan Print edition: 2026-01-28

Kazakhstan set to step up efforts to help resolve Pak-Afghan tensions

Published January 28, 2026 Updated January 28, 2026 05:34am

3 min

By Fida Hussain

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ISLAMABAD: Kazakhstan is set to step up its diplomatic efforts to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan in an attempt to defuse tensions between the two countries and pave the way for the implementation of long-awaited, vital projects connecting the regions of Central Asia and South Asia.

Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions escalated after terrorist attacks in Pakistan, leading to closure of the border to trade, which has been in effect for over three months now.

Sources told Business Recorder that Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan M Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb held two or three meetings with Kazakhstan Ambassador to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin last month to seek Astana’s support in sorting the thorny issues with Pakistan.

Ambassador Kistafin reaffirmed his country’s support for stability and economic development in Afghanistan and highlighted Kazakhstan’s efforts to advance major projects in the areas of regional connectivity, trade, bilateral commerce, and related sectors.

According to sources in the Afghan Embassy, the stability and security situation in Afghanistan has enhanced Kazakhstan’s optimism regarding regional connectivity and trade, and commended the efforts of the Islamic Emirate.

The interaction between Kazakh and Afghan engagement took place ahead of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Pakistan, scheduled for February 3. According to sources, Kazakhstan wants both Pakistan and Afghanistan to normalize ties through dialogue and work together to ensure that long-awaited energy and infrastructure projects are implemented without delay.

According to reports, the Kazakh President is set to sign an agreement on USD 7 billion rail connectivity project, which will link Pakistan with Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, strengthening the prospects of regional trade through a reliable rail network.

Major infrastructure projects connecting South and Central Asia focus on enhancing energy, rail, and road networks, primarily utilizing Pakistan’s deep-sea ports (Gwadar) and corridors through Afghanistan. Key projects include the CASA-1000 power line, TAPI pipeline, the Termez-Peshawar railway, and the Khyber Pass Economic Corridor (KPEC).

Most of the Central Asian nations think that troubled Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship is detrimental to envisioned regional connectivity and prosperity. Kazakhstan considers some of Pakistan’s concerns as genuine grievances; however, it says that these should not hold Islamabad and Kabul back from venturing into diplomatic channels to resolve the problems.

Kazakhstan Ambassador to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin emphasized that stability in Afghanistan is crucial for the entire region. Referring to regional projects in which Afghanistan is involved, the Kazakh diplomat added that Afghanistan will become an important player in the regional economy within the next five years.

“So far, we have established very good relations with Afghanistan and have discussed this issue. They fully support this railway and other projects and ideas. This is our ultimate goal. We want to strengthen our regional cooperation, and Afghanistan must become an integral part of this regional cooperation,” an Afghan media outlet quoting Kistafin as saying.

According to the report, the Kazakh Ambassador also stressed that regional development and security are deeply interconnected, and coordinated efforts among Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and neighbouring countries are essential for lasting peace and prosperity in the region.

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