ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Kazakhstan are moving toward a landmark agreement that will grant Astana access to Gwadar Port during the Kazakh president’s scheduled visit to Islamabad in November.
Officials confirmed that a high-level Kazakh delegation will arrive in September to finalise the arrangements, marking a crucial step toward boosting regional maritime connectivity.
Earlier discussions between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Kazakh Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin focused on joint ventures at both Karachi and Gwadar ports.
The two sides highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation in logistics and the blue economy, with the goal of expanding Kazakhstan’s access to international markets.
Kazakhstan, a landlocked country, has expressed interest in setting up a dedicated goods terminal at Karachi Port to facilitate exports to the European Union and the United States.
Pakistan, however, is strongly advocating for Gwadar to serve as the primary transit hub for Central Asian trade.
Ambassador Kistafin welcomed the proposals, stressing that Kazakhstan is keen to utilise Pakistani ports not only for Astana but for the wider Central Asian region.
A ministerial delegation from Kazakhstan, led by its Minister of Communications, who also oversees maritime affairs, is expected to visit Pakistan soon for in-depth talks on maritime trade, logistics, and infrastructure cooperation.
Minister Chaudhry underscored that Pakistan’s ports act as gateways to the Arabian Gulf, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
He reiterated that Islamabad’s “Vision Central Asia” policy is focused on strengthening regional trade ties through innovative strategies and global partnerships.
Currently, Karachi handles the bulk of Pakistan’s imports and exports, while Gwadar—strategically located near the Strait of Hormuz—serves as a central hub for regional trade and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
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Pakistani officials hope that these ports will evolve into vital transit corridors for Central Asian states, driving economic integration and reinforcing Pakistan’s $350 billion economy.
