On February 4, 2026, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed a Joint Declaration on the establishment of a strategic partnership between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The signing marked a decisive shift in bilateral relations, elevating cooperation from individual initiatives to a comprehensive, long-term partnership, DKNews.kz reports.
A new level of bilateral relations
The declaration reflects the political will of both countries to deepen cooperation across a wide range of sectors. For Kazakhstan, the partnership strengthens its engagement with South Asia, opens new trade and transit opportunities, and enhances its international connectivity. For Pakistan, it creates additional channels for cooperation with Central Asia and integration into broader Eurasian economic processes.
A comprehensive package of agreements
In the presence of the President of Kazakhstan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, a total of 19 documents were signed, covering economic, transport, security, digital and humanitarian cooperation.
The signed documents include:
-
Memorandum of cooperation in the field of mining and geological sciences
-
Memorandum of understanding on the joint deployment of peacekeeping unit(s) in UN missions
-
Extradition Treaty
-
Memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan and the Federal Ministry of Maritime Affairs of Pakistan
-
Agreement on transit trade between the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan
-
Agreement on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters
-
Memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan and the Federal Ministry of Railways of Pakistan
-
Agreement on cooperation in the field of quarantine and plant protection
-
Agreement on cooperation in the field of veterinary services
-
Memorandum of cooperation in artificial intelligence and digitalization
-
Memorandum of understanding in the field of healthcare
-
Memorandum of understanding and cooperation between the Television and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Associated Press of Pakistan
-
Memorandum of understanding in the field of climate change and environmental protection
-
Memorandum of understanding between Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and the Ministry of Education and Professional Training of Pakistan
-
Memorandum of understanding between the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market and the State Bank of Pakistan
-
Action Plan for cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere for 2026–2027
-
Memorandum of understanding on cooperation in digital assets between the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority of Pakistan
-
Memorandum of cooperation on information exchange and professional development between the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan and the Port of Karachi
-
Memorandum of understanding on logistics between Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and the National Logistics Corporation
Transport and logistics as a strategic priority
Several agreements focus specifically on transport, logistics, railways and maritime cooperation. These arrangements are aimed at strengthening connectivity between Central Asia and South Asia, improving transit routes and facilitating access to global markets through Pakistani ports.
Security, technology and future-oriented cooperation
The extradition treaty and peacekeeping memorandum add an important security dimension to bilateral relations. At the same time, agreements in artificial intelligence, digitalization and digital assets highlight both countries’ intention to cooperate in future-oriented sectors that will shape long-term economic growth.
Financial cooperation is reinforced through interaction between regulatory authorities and central banking institutions, laying the groundwork for closer financial ties and investment cooperation.
Humanitarian and people-centered cooperation
The signed documents also cover healthcare, education, media, climate policy and cultural exchange. The adoption of a dedicated cultural and humanitarian cooperation plan for 2026–2027 underscores the importance of people-to-people ties and institutional partnerships alongside economic cooperation.
More agreements during the state visit
During the ceremony, it was announced that an additional 18 documents were signed as part of President Tokayev’s state visit to Pakistan. This confirms that the current package forms part of a broader roadmap for expanding bilateral cooperation.
Why this matters
The establishment of a strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Pakistan significantly strengthens political trust and creates new opportunities in trade, transit, technology and humanitarian engagement. Most importantly, the partnership is backed by concrete agreements and implementation mechanisms, making it a practical and forward-looking framework rather than a symbolic declaration.
Astana and Islamabad have thus laid a solid foundation for a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship with clear priorities and shared strategic vision.
