ISLAMABAD: Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday arrived in Pakistan on a two-day official visit to hold talks with the country’s leadership on trade, regional connectivity and bilateral cooperation, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.

Tokayev is visiting Pakistan, along with a delegation comprising cabinet ministers and high-ranking officials, on the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.

The visit reflects the strengthening bonds between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, their mutual commitment to transforming historic and cultural affinities into robust cooperation, and their common desire for peace and progress in the region.

Pakistan state television broadcaster footage of PM Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari welcoming President Tokayev upon arrival at Noor Khan Air Base in the Pakistani garrison city of Rawalpindi on Tuesday evening.

"The visit will provide the two sides an important and timely opportunity to undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, discuss new avenues for broadening cooperation, particularly in trade, logistics, regional connectivity, people-to-people contacts, and explore collaboration at regional and international forums," the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

Relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan are rooted in shared Islamic heritage and a growing strategic partnership, with Pakistan offering landlocked Central Asian republics access to southern seaports for global trade. Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Kazakhstan when it gained independence in December 1991 and formally established diplomatic relations with it on Feb. 24, 1992.

The two countries have held regular interactions over the past couple of years on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meetings and other international events. Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Murat Nurtleu visited Pakistan in September 2025 to discuss economic and trade cooperation with Islamabad.

Islamabad and Astana engage with each other to promote business and political ties via three forums mainly, which are: Bilateral Political Consultations, the Intergovernmental Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation, and the Joint Business Council.

According to the government of Kazakhstan, bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to $53.7 million in 2024. Pakistan's main exports to Kazakhstan include citrus fruits, pharmaceutical products, garments, soap, sports equipment and gear and others.

Kazakhstan’s exports to Pakistan primarily include onions and garlic, dried leguminous vegetables, oats, buckwheat and other cereal grains, seeds and fruits of other oil-bearing crops, among others.