Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday held crucial talks to expand bilateral relations and boost ties in strategic fields.
Both leaders also witnessed the signing of a joint communiqué, along with multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements spanning a wide range of sectors, including mining and petroleum, UN peacekeeping, prisoner exchanges, maritime affairs, transit trade, customs, railways, artificial intelligence and digital development.
The two sides also signed accords on health, culture, higher education, logistics, virtual assets, ports, and climate change.
Cooperation agreements were also signed between Pakistan’s Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and Kazakhstan’s state television.
Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the significance of the Kazakh president’s visit, noting that this was the first visit by a Kazakh president to Pakistan in 23 years.
He described the discussions with President Tokayev as constructive and positive, stressing that both countries are committed to implementing the MoUs and agreements to boost economic and cultural cooperation.
Speaking at the event, Sharif said that awarding of “Nishan-e-Pakistan” to President Tokayev reflects the close bond between the two nations.
He pointed out that both Pakistan and Kazakhstan are members of the Gaza peace board and are working for peace and reconstruction in Gaza.
Sharif also emphasised opportunities to expand bilateral trade, aiming to raise the trade volume to one billion dollars within a year, while highlighting the importance of cooperation in energy, economic, and commercial sectors.
Speaking on the occasion, President Tokayev expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him.
He referred to the shared values enjoyed by the two countries and reaffirmed Kazakhstan as a reliable partner.
He added that both nations will take positive steps to strengthen cooperation in trade, economy, transit trade, ports, aviation, energy, science, education, and Islamic finance.
Tokayev noted that challenges can be resolved through dialogue and that joint efforts will help achieve shared economic and trade goals.
As a symbolic gesture of the close ties between the two nations, President Tokayev planted a sapling at the Prime Minister’s House during the ceremony.
