Islamabad, Astana’s $250m trade volume does not reflect potential of both countries, says premier
Saifullah Ansar
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday urged an increase in trade volume between Pakistan and Kazakhstan to $1 billion as both countries signed over 30 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in several sectors, including petroleum, mining, and maritime affairs.
“Unfortunately, our trade volume, as suggested, is meager $250 million, which does not reflect not only strength of our friends and potential of both countries. Let us commit to take up our trade volume to $1 billion in next 1 year,” the premier said while addressing a joint press conference after MoU signing ceremony.
Earlier, Kazak President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was accorded a warm reception and a guard of honour as he arrived at the Prime Minister’s House to hold one-on-one meeting with PM Shehbaz.
Accompanied by a high-level delegation, comprising senior cabinet ministers and other high-ranking officials, the Kazakhstan president arrived in Islamabad for his first two-day state visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz.
As the visiting dignitary arrived, the prime minister received him at the entrance of the PM House, where the formal reception took place.
The national anthems of Kazakhstan and Pakistan were played while both leaders stood on the saluting dais.
A smartly attired contingent of the three services of the Pakistan armed forces presented the guard of honour, which President Tokayev reviewed.
The two leaders introduced their respective delegations to each other before proceeding for one-on-one meeting, followed by talks at the delegation level.
During the talks, the two sides will review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore new avenues to further deepen cooperation across diverse sectors. Both sides will also sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements to boost bilateral ties.
Later, the Kazakh president also planted a commemorative sapling in the lawn of the Prime Minister’s House.
The route of the Kazakhstan leader’s motorcade and main avenues of the federal capital were decorated with Pakistani and Kazakhstan flags as well as the large portraits of President Tokayev.
Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a one-on-one meeting with Kazakhstan president, the Foreign Office said on X.
