ISLAMABAD: President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will reach Islamabad on Tuesday for his first official visit to Pakistan, a trip viewed as an effort to advance bilateral engagement and regional cooperation.
According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, President Tokayev is undertaking the visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. Officials describe the trip as an important diplomatic exchange between the two countries.
They say the visit demonstrates a shared intention to expand cooperation across various sectors. The Kazakh leader will be accompanied by a high-level delegation made up of senior cabinet ministers and other leading officials. The participation of key decision makers is expected to support discussions on strategic and economic collaboration.
The delegation’s presence signals Kazakhstan’s interest in strengthening engagement with Pakistan at both governmental and institutional levels.
During his stay, President Tokayev is expected to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and hold talks with Prime Minister Sharif. The meetings will review the current status of bilateral ties and consider additional areas of mutual cooperation.
President Tokayev is also scheduled to address the Pakistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum, where business representatives and investors from both countries will take part. The forum is intended to promote greater economic interaction and partnerships between private sectors.
The Foreign Office said particular focus will be given to trade, logistics, regional connectivity and people to people contacts. The spokesperson added that the visit reflects a shared outlook on peace, stability and development in the region. Officials believe the engagement will help identify new opportunities for cooperation and reinforce long-term relations.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said President Tokayev will undertake a two day official visit to Pakistan on February 3 and 4.
Pakistan and Kazakhstan maintain cordial diplomatic relations, with Kazakhstan being Pakistan’s leading export destination among Central Asian states.
During the visit, the Kazakh president will be accompanied by a delegation comprising senior ministers and other high-ranking officials.
The statement said President Tokayev is expected to meet the President of Pakistan, hold talks with the prime minister and address the Pakistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum.
Kazakhstan’s geographical position offers Pakistan a route to Russian, Central Asian and Eastern European markets. By landmass and resources, Kazakhstan is the largest economy in Central Asia.
The foreign ministry said the visit will provide Islamabad and Astana with an important and timely opportunity to carry out a comprehensive review of bilateral relations.
The statement added that both sides will also explore new avenues to expand cooperation, particularly in trade, logistics, regional connectivity, people to people contacts and collaboration at regional and international forums.
It said the visit reflects growing ties between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, their shared commitment to translating historical and cultural links into practical cooperation, and their common interest in peace and progress in the region.
Officials in both countries regard the visit as beneficial for both sides. For Pakistan, it offers an opportunity to strengthen its role as a land bridge between Central and South Asia and beyond. For Kazakhstan, it supports efforts to diversify international trade at a time of uncertainty in Eurasia following the Russia-Ukraine war.
In September, during a visit to Pakistan by then Kazakh deputy premier Murat Nurtleu, the two countries signed the Action Plan of Cooperation aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.
