ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday emphasised the need to start work on the feasibility study for establishing a rail link between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, terming it a potential game changer for regional connectivity.
PM Shehbaz was talking to Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Marat Karabayev who called on him in Islamabad.
The Prime Minister said the rail link between Pakistan and Kazakhstan will prove to be a game changer for the entire region, connecting Central Asian states with Gwadar Port.
PM Shehbaz said a Pakistani delegation will soon visit Kazakhstan to discuss rail link feasibility and technical issues.
Highlighting the immense potential for cooperation in the field of education between the two countries, Shehbaz Sharif said Kazakh universities can open campuses in Pakistan.
He directed relevant authorities that PIA should formulate a plan for establishing direct air links between Kazakhstan and Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said strengthening business-to-business relations between the two countries is our priority.
The meeting discussed further strengthening cooperation in the fields of agriculture, economy, trade, investment, IT and communication.
The Kazakh Minister briefed the Prime Minister about his visit and the agreements signed during the 13th session of the Pak-Kazakhstan Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation.
He said a delegation of Kazakhstan’s business community and investors is also in Pakistan and is keenly interested in building business-to-business relations here.
The Kazakh Minister said Pakistan is a rapidly emerging market and Karachi and Gwadar ports are of utmost significance to Kazakhstan.
Pakistan, Kazakhstan agree to finalize Transit Trade Agreement
Pakistan and Kazakhstan have agreed upon the finalization of the Transit Trade Agreement and practical implementation of the Roadmap for Trade and Economic Cooperation.
The understanding was reached at the 13th Session of the Pak-Kazakhstan Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation which concluded in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Pakistan’s Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema and Kazakh Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev co-chaired the session.
The two sides agreed to promote the use of regional trade corridors, particularly the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan and Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan routes under the International Motor Transport Agreement.
They also agreed to enhance cooperation between logistics companies and develop joint ventures to facilitate the cross-border movement of goods through ports in Karachi, Qasim, and Gwadar.
Both countries agreed to share investment opportunities in the agriculture sector.
It was also decided to promote tourism by sharing lists of certified tour operators and launching joint promotional activities.
In the financial sector, an MoU was signed for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market.
In the field of education, the two sides agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to strengthen academic collaboration and facilitate exchange programs for students and faculty.
In the information technology sector, MoUs were signed for joint work in digital innovation and governance.
In the energy sector, Pakistan offered Kazakhstan opportunities for investment and joint ventures in oil and gas exploration.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahad Cheema said signing of key agreements will play a critical role in facilitating smoother trade flows and fostering broader economic collaboration.
He expressed confidence that these efforts will contribute significantly to increase bilateral trade and diversify investments.
