Kazakhstan and Pakistan eye new trade routes as Tokayev visits Islamabad

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is visiting Pakistan as both countries seek to expand trade and unlock new transport routes linking Central Asia to the Indian Ocean, despite ongoing security and infrastructure challenges.

Bilateral trade doubled in 2025, rising from $48 million to $101 million. Despite the increase, trade volumes remain modest and are still heavily concentrated in Kazakh oil exports.

Speaking to AnewZ, Nurbolat Nyshanbayev said Kazakhstan and Pakistan have significant untapped potential that has yet to be fully realised.

"Of course, if you look at it on the map, those two countries have great potential but we have witnessed that both countries don't use the maximum capacity of what they can do."

Nyshanbayev noted that both governments are now looking for new areas of opportunities, particularly in terms of transport infrastructure and exporting.

Accessing the Indian Ocean

For Kazakhstan, access to Pakistan offers a route to the Indian Ocean, while Pakistan could benefit from Kazakhstan’s connections to Russia and European markets.

"For Kazakhstan, as a landlocked nation, Pakistan is very important to reach to the Indian Ocean," he said. "Meanwhile, Pakistan could benefit from Kazakhstan’s connections to Russia and European markets."

These shared interests, he added, are helping to build confidence between the two countries and strengthening the foundation for long-term cooperation.

"This relationship is giving some momentum and trust for the future between Kazakhstan and Pakistan."

Kazakhstan and Pakistan do not share a common border and several external factors affect their relationship, particularly the security situation in Afghanistan and transit considerations involving Turkmenistan.

Despite these challenges, recent developments over the past two years have made it possible to double bilateral trade. Discussions are now taking place about a possible framework linking Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, as countries search for alternatives in an increasingly uncertain world.

"But now we are looking for some kind of agreement across the regions because we are now living in an age of uncertainty," Nyshanbayev said.

Infrastructure gaps, logistics constraints and the development of reliable trade routes remain the main obstacles, but the strategic direction is becoming clear.

Pakistan's strategic importance

"It will be the new direction not only Kazakhstan, but the whole Central Asian nations to reach Indian Ocean through Pakistan."

He also highlighted growing cooperation in agriculture, artificial intelligence and pharmaceuticals, alongside closer institutional ties.

Tokayev’s trip is the first state visit to Pakistan since taking office and reflects Pakistan’s geopolitical importance as a country with a large population and significant strategic weight in the region.

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