Pakistan, Kazakhstan sign 37 pacts to boost ties

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - Pakistan and Kazakhstan on Wednesday signed 37 pacts on several sectors, including petroleum and mining.

The pacts signed during a ceremony in prime minister office in Islamabad was attended by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Accompanied by a high-level delegation, Tokayev arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday during his two-day maiden state visit. He is the first Kazakh president to visit Pakistan in 23 years.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sharif emphasized the strong bilateral ties between the two countries and announced plans to significantly boost trade.

Sharif said they agreed that Pakistan-Kazakhstan trade, which currently stands at $250 million, would increase to $1 billion within the next year.

"We have agreed to establish a strategic partnership between our two brotherly nations to pursue the shared objects of peace, progress and prosperity," Sharif said.

He highlighted opportunities for joint investment and collaboration in energy, infrastructure, and other sectors.

Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional connectivity, including the Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan transport corridor, and offered Kazakhstan full access to Pakistan’s transit infrastructure and seaports.

On international issues, Sharif and Tokayev discussed ongoing conflicts and reaffirmed support for peaceful solutions, including efforts toward Gaza’s reconstruction and advancing the two-state solution.

"Let us hope and pray to Allah Almighty that through our joint efforts, we will be successful in bringing long lasting peace in Gaza," said Pakistani Prime Minister.

On his part, Tokayev said both countries share similar positions on pressing global issues and emphasized that conflicts must be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic means, with the principles of the UN Charter and international law upheld.

He highlighted the signing of an intergovernmental memorandum for joint participation in UN peacekeeping missions, calling it a strong foundation for expanding cooperation and marking a new chapter in Kazakh-Pakistani relations.

President Tokayev also expressed confidence that the strategic partnership and agreements reached would serve the best interests of both nations and looking forward to hosting Prime Minister Sharif on a state visit later this year to his country.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992.