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Pakistan was among the first few countries which
recognized Kazakhstan when it attained independence in
December 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two
countries were established in 1992. Pakistan and
Kazakhstan enjoy cordial relations based on common
approach towards world issues as well as mutual
understanding and goodwill for each other.
Pakistan provides natural link to connect the Eurasian
heartland with the Arabian Sea and South Asia. We offer
the critical over land routes and connectivity for
mutually beneficial trade and energy transaction
intra-regionally and inter-regionally
The first Prime Ministerial visit from Pakistan took
place in 1995 followed by second Prime Ministerial visit
in 2011. President of Pakistan also visited Kazakhstan
in 2011.
President Nazarbayev visited Pakistan twice in 1992 and
2003. Several Parliamentary and Ministerial as well as
high level officials also exchanged visits.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Astana in
August 2015
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz undertook his first visit
to Astana on 25-26 August 2015 as a part of high level
exchanges, focusing on Pakistan’s connectivity with
Central Asia particularly with Kazakhstan.
During the visit, the Prime Minister had the opportunity
to discuss with Prime Minister Karim Massimov and
President Nazarbayev, the present state of our bilateral
relations and ways and means to further strengthen them
meaningfully. They covered wide-ranging subjects and
whole spectrum of bilateral relations and touched upon
all important regional and international issues.
The leadership of the two countries agreed to strengthen
bilateral cooperation in trade, economy, energy, science
and technology, education and more importantly land and
air connectivity between Pakistan and Kazakhstan. They
also agreed to strengthen economic cooperation by
optimally utilizing the present institutional
mechanisms.
A number of Agreements and MoUs in the fields of trade
and commerce, agriculture, defence and disaster
management were signed for enhancing bilateral
cooperation between the two countries.
The leadership noted that bilateral trade currently does
not commensurate with their bilateral potential. They
decided to increase it by revitalizing the existing
mechanisms. The leadership of the two countries agreed
to expand mutual cooperation in diverse fields including
regional connectivity, energy, security, education,
culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
They also decided to continue their cooperation in
international forums, including the United Nations, SCO,
ECO and OIC.
Kazakhstan supported Pakistan’s successful bid to become
non-permanent member of United Nations Security Council
in October 2011. Kazakhstan also supports Pakistan full
membership in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Pakistan has supported Kazakhstan’s successful bids to
International Exhibition (EXPO-2017) and WTO. Kazakhstan
supports Pakistan’s candidature to the Human Rights
Council for the term (2018-2020). On reciprocal support
agreement Pakistan supported Kazakhstan’s candidature to
the Statistical Commission for the term 2017-2020.
Kazakhstan supported Pakistan’s candidature to UNESCO
Executive Board (2015-2019). Currently, Pakistan is
supporting Kazakhstan’s bid for a non-permanent seat at
the UN Security Council in 2017-2018.
Bilateral, Trade and Economic Relations
Overall bilateral cooperation has been institutionalized
through Pakistan-Kazakhstan Inter-Governmental
Commission on trade, economic, scientific, technological
and cultural cooperation. The Eight Session of Pakistan
- Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) on
Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural
Cooperation was held in Astana on 05-06 November 2015.
Pakistan delegation was headed by Minister of State for
Petroleum and Natural Resources Jam Kamal Khan. The
Kazakh side was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Askar
Mussinov. Representatives of different Ministries of
both countries and Ambassadors of Pakistan and
Kazakhstan assisted their respective delegations. The
IGC reviewed whole range of economic cooperation that
included trade and investment, transport and
communications, agriculture, industry, energy,
healthcare, environmental protection, information &
broadcasting, civil aviation, tourism and training of
diplomats.
The IGC referring to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's
recent landmark visit to Kazakhstan, reviewed progress
on various decisions taken during the visit. Both sides
agreed to identify flagship project for mutual
cooperation in energy and communication sector and to
hold Joint Business Council meeting during the first
half of 2016.
In addition to this mechanism the two countries have
signed 36 Agreement/MoUs since establishment of
diplomatic relations, in diverse fields of cooperation
between the two countries
In 2015, total volume of bilateral trade between
Kazakhstan and Pakistan amounted to approximately US$
34.37 million. Exports from Pakistan to Kazakhstan
constituted US$ 32.89 million while Pakistan’s imports
from Kazakhstan were US$ 1.48 million. The major export
products from Pakistan to Kazakhstan in 2015 were
mandarins (US$ 11.76 mn), potatoes (US$ 9.29 mn),
medicine and medical equipment (US$ 4.7 mn), textile
items (US$ 3.8 mn), cereals (US$ 0.63), sugar
confectionary (US$ 0.26 mn) and articles of leather (US$
0.06 mn). The major import items from Kazakhstan to
Pakistan in 2015 were articles of iron and steel (US$
1.17 mn), machinery parts (US$ 0.22 mn) and others.
Pakistani Community:
The size of Pakistani community in Kazakhstan is small.
There are 559 Pakistan national residing in different
cities of Kazakhstan. Most of the community members live
in Almaty. However, they have presence in several other
cities. The community mostly comprises small businessmen
with some professionals working in oil and gas sector.
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