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.

The development comes as Kazakhstan, a landlocked Central Asian state, seeks greater access to maritime trade routes via ports in Pakistan, which has sought to position itself as a major transit hub in the region. Both sides have also been looking for ways to boost cooperation in trade, investment and other areas in recent years.

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, while imports primarily include onions and garlic, dried leguminous vegetables, oats, buckwheat, seeds and fruits.

PM Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari welcomed President Tokayev upon arrival at Noor Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi on the two-day visit, which Islamabad has said aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote regional peace and prosperity.

“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.

Both sides are expected to sign memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in areas of mutual interest during the high-profile visit.

During the visit, President Zardari will also confer the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the highest civilian award of Pakistan, on the visiting Kazakh president, according to the Pakistan presidency.

The Nishan-e-Pakistan is awarded to individuals who have rendered services of highest distinction to the national interest of Pakistan and has often been conferred on visiting Heads of State as a mark of respect and friendship.

Relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan are rooted in shared Islamic heritage and the growing economic partnership. 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.