ISLAMABAD, FEB 4 /DNA/ – President Asif Ali Zardari said that Pakistan and Kazakhstan share a firm commitment to broadening cooperation across political, economic and regional domains, while affirming Pakistan’s readiness to work closely with the country to advance shared goals of peace, connectivity and sustainable development.

He said this while talking to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who met him at Aiwan-e-Sadr this evening.

The two Presidents first held a tête-à-tête meeting, during which they exchanged views on key bilateral, regional and international issues, which was followed by an extended meeting with their respective delegations.

Talking to his Kazakh counterpart, President Asif Ali Zardari said that Pakistan and Kazakhstan share a relationship rooted in mutual trust, shared values and a common vision for regional prosperity. He noted that the visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the first by a Kazakh head of state in over two decades, provides a timely opportunity to reinvigorate bilateral ties and translate political goodwill into concrete outcomes through expanded cooperation and stronger institutional linkages.

Highlighting economic engagement, the President observed that while bilateral trade had registered growth in recent years, it remains well below its true potential. He expressed confidence that the Roadmap for Trade and Economic Cooperation 2025–2027, together with agreements on transit trade, customs cooperation and banking, would help remove operational bottlenecks and open new avenues for trade, investment and business-to-business collaboration. He also underscored the importance of leveraging Pakistan’s facilities and frameworks in areas such as energy, agriculture, mining, information technology and defence production.

President Zardari underscored the centrality of regional connectivity in strengthening Pakistan–Kazakhstan relations. He welcomed progress on rail and road linkages, including cooperation on the CASA railway alignment and effective utilisation of Quadrilateral Transit Trade Agreement (QTTA) routes and noted that enhanced connectivity, supported by improved air links and access to Pakistani ports, would not only boost bilateral trade but also contribute to wider regional integration and economic stability.

The two leaders welcomed the signing of a substantial number of bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding, as well as steps aimed at strengthening bilateral linkages. They expressed confidence that these outcomes would provide renewed momentum to mutual ties and help realise the significant untapped potential of economic cooperation.

Exchanging views on regional and international developments, President Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace, dialogue and respect for international law. He stressed the need for collective efforts to promote stability in South Asia and the broader region and emphasised that regional challenges should be addressed through cooperation rather than confrontation.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that Kazakhstan attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan and regards the partnership as a key pillar of regional cooperation. He expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral ties and reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to working closely with Pakistan to strengthen connectivity, expand economic cooperation and promote peace and stability in the region. He noted that several prominent Kazakh business leaders, including three billionaires, were part of his delegation and said that the target of one billion dollars in bilateral trade was achievable. He also welcomed greater numbers of Pakistani students and tourists to Kazakhstan.

The two leaders expressed confidence that the visit would open a new chapter in Pakistan–Kazakhstan relations and agreed to maintain close coordination to advance shared goals of connectivity, economic cooperation and regional stability.

The extended meeting was attended on the Kazakhstan side by Mr Berik Assylov, Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Mr Nurlan Zhakupov, Chief Executive Officer of Samruk-Kazyna JSC; Mr Serik Zhumangarin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy; Mr Ernar Lazar, Adviser to the President for International Affairs; Mr Yerzhan Kistafin, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Pakistan; Mr Dauren Kosanov, Minister of Defence; Mr Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education; Mr Arman Shakkaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration; Mr Nurlan Sauranbayev, Minister of Transport and Mr Magzum Mirzagayev, Adviser to the President.

From the Pakistan side, the meeting was attended by Mr Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Defence; Mr Jam Kamal, Federal Minister for Commerce; Mr Musadiq Malik, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and Minister-in-Waiting; Mr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training; Senator Sherry Rehman; Raja Pervez Ashraf, Member of the National Assembly; Mr Nayyar Bukhari, former Chairman Senate and Senator Saleem Mandviwala. The meeting was also attended by Secretary Foreign Affairs and Ambassador of Pakistan to Kazakhstan.

Later, during a Special Investiture Ceremony, the President conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan on President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in recognition of his contribution to strengthening Pakistan–Kazakhstan relations. The ceremony was attended by, among others, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, members of the federal cabinet, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, members of the diplomatic corps, and parliamentarians, and was followed by a state banquet.