The Kazakhstan–Pakistan business forum held in Islamabad on February 4, 2026 marked a clear turning point in economic relations between the two countries. The participation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif underscored the political weight of the event, while its outcomes demonstrated a strong focus on practical results, DKNews.kz reports.
By the end of the forum, more than 30 commercial agreements worth around $200 million had been signed, covering a wide range of sectors and laying the groundwork for a new phase of bilateral cooperation.
A historic visit with concrete outcomes
In his address, President Tokayev described his first state visit to Pakistan as a historic milestone in bilateral relations. He noted that the signing of a Joint Declaration elevated cooperation between the two countries to a strategic level.
According to the President, trade between Kazakhstan and Pakistan nearly doubled over the past year. Today, more than 200 companies with Pakistani capital operate in Kazakhstan across construction, agriculture, food processing, industry and other sectors. Building on this momentum, both sides have set an ambitious but realistic goal: increasing bilateral trade to $1 billion.
To support this objective, the President instructed the Government to intensify engagement between business communities, including through the mechanisms of the Kazakhstan–Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission.
Kazakhstan as a regional economic anchor
President Tokayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s macroeconomic performance, noting that the country’s economy grew by 6.5 percent last year, pushing GDP beyond $300 billion. GDP per capita reached $15,000, reflecting the stability and resilience of the national economy.
Kazakhstan’s economic strategy focuses on diversifying trade and investment, promoting innovation and advancing a knowledge-based development model. Institutional reforms and digital tools are central to this approach, aimed at improving transparency and simplifying procedures for investors and businesses alike.
Financial hub and investment opportunities
Special attention was given to the role of the Astana International Financial Centre, which has become a leading regional platform for investment, innovation and corporate services. More than 5,000 companies from nearly 100 countries operate within its framework, including 11 Pakistani firms.
Kazakhstan expressed readiness to further expand Pakistani business participation, offering a stable and transparent investment environment and access not only to the domestic market, but to the wider region as well.
Geography that drives connectivity
The President emphasized the strategic geographic positions of both countries. Located at the heart of Eurasia, Kazakhstan plays a key role in continental trade, handling about 85 percent of land-based freight traffic between Europe and China.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, is strengthening Kazakhstan’s position as a transcontinental trade hub. Agreements signed in the logistics and postal sectors were welcomed as important steps toward developing multimodal transport solutions and expanding mutual access to port infrastructure.
Agriculture and food security
Kazakhstan and Pakistan also share common priorities in food security. Kazakhstan currently exports more than 200 types of agricultural products to over 70 countries, with total agricultural output increasing more than 2.5 times over the past decade.
The agreement to launch a sugar beet processing plant in the Zhetysu region was highlighted as a concrete example of growing cooperation in the agro-industrial sector, with further opportunities for joint supply chains at both regional and global levels.
Digitalisation as a shared future driver
Digital transformation was identified as a key driver of future progress in trade and investment cooperation. President Tokayev praised Pakistan’s efforts in this area and reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s ambition to become a fully digital country in the coming years.
Institutional steps include the creation of a dedicated ministry for artificial intelligence and digital development, the establishment of an international AI centre, and the launch of supercomputing infrastructure to support advanced technological research. The President also pointed to the success of Kazakh digital platforms abroad as evidence of growing technological ties between the two countries.
Pakistan’s perspective: a clear target
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif подчеркнул the importance of the forum for deepening economic and investment cooperation. He stated that both sides had agreed to make every effort to raise bilateral trade to $1 billion within the next two years, and possibly even sooner.
To achieve this, Kazakhstan and Pakistan will establish a joint working group tasked with developing a five-year programme to expand their shared trade and investment portfolio. The Prime Minister also accepted an invitation to visit Kazakhstan later this year.
From intentions to action
The Islamabad business forum demonstrated that Kazakhstan–Pakistan relations are moving beyond declarations toward tangible economic results. Agreements covering finance, logistics, industry, energy, agriculture, digitalisation and infrastructure have given the partnership a clear, practical foundation.
The $1 billion trade target is no longer just an aspiration. It is now backed by signed contracts, defined priorities and a shared commitment to long-term cooperation.
