Islamabad (TDI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warmly received President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan at his official residence on Wednesday. Upon arrival, President Tokayev was greeted with a ceremonial guard of honour by a well-prepared contingent of the armed forces.
The leaders are set to hold bilateral and delegation-level meetings, during which several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) across multiple sectors are expected to be signed.
President Tokayev began his two-day official visit to Pakistan on Tuesday, highlighting the mutual desire to strengthen ties between the two countries. Kazakhstan is currently Pakistan’s largest export destination in Central Asia, reflecting the close economic and diplomatic links between Islamabad and Astana.
Accompanying President Tokayev is a senior-level delegation, including cabinet ministers and other high-ranking officials. A video shared by the Kazakh President’s office showcased Islamabad’s streets adorned with Kazakhstan’s national flag in honour of the visit.
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Earlier, the President’s Secretariat announced that President Zardari will confer the Nishan-i-Pakistan, Pakistan’s highest civilian award, on both the presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, with the latter scheduled to visit later this month.
During his stay, President Tokayev is also expected to meet with President Asif Ali Zardari and deliver a speech at the Pakistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum.
The Foreign Office highlighted that the visit offers a timely opportunity for both nations to review and strengthen their bilateral relations. Discussions will focus on expanding cooperation in trade, logistics, regional connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as enhancing collaboration in regional and international forums.
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Officials view the visit as mutually beneficial: Pakistan aims to position itself as a key land bridge linking Central and South Asia, while Kazakhstan seeks to diversify its international trade amid ongoing challenges in Eurasia following the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
