$1 Billion Trade Goal: Pakistan and Kazakhstan Sign 37 Agreements to Forge New Strategic Era.

In a historic milestone for regional connectivity, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev have pledged to elevate bilateral trade to $1 billion within the next year. During the high-level visit on February 4, 2026, the two leaders signed a landmark Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership.Comprehensive Cooperation Across 37 SectorsThe two nations concluded 37 agreements and MoUs, marking the first visit by a Kazakh president to Pakistan in 23 years. Key sectors included:

• Energy & Resources: Petroleum, mining, and geosciences.
• Connectivity: Railways, maritime affairs, and customs assistance.
• Technology: Artificial Intelligence, digital development, and news exchange.
• Legal: A formal Treaty of Extradition and a Transit Trade Agreement.

The “Silk Road” Connection and Port AccessPresident Tokayev described Pakistan as a “reliable and valued partner,” emphasizing that both nations are united by centuries-old ties rooted in the Silk Road.

• Maritime Access: To bridge the geographical gap, Pakistan has offered landlocked Kazakhstan full access to its Gwadar and Karachi ports.
• Railway Corridors: Both sides agreed to accelerate work on the Trans-Afghan railway corridor, linking Central Asia to the Arabian Sea.
• Direct Flights: The leaders agreed to explore the resumption of direct air connections to facilitate business and people-to-people contacts.

Joint Investment PlatformA new joint investment platform was launched involving Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth entities and Pakistani partners to identify bankable projects in mining, energy, and infrastructure. Prime Minister Sharif noted that current trade stands at a “meager” $250 million, and these reforms are essential to unlock the true potential of both economies.