Pakistan And Kazakhstan Look To Hit $1 Billion In Trade And Build Stronger Ties – OpEd
Pakistan and Kazakhstan are trying to turn a long, friendly relationship into something more tangible: real business. Both countries want to take their connection beyond talk of brotherhood and history, toward a partnership that delivers jobs, exports, and investment.
The goal they’ve set is ambitious but clear $1 billion in annual trade and the plan is to get there by linking Central Asia to South Asia through Pakistan’s ports and roads.
Pakistan and Kazakhstan have always had cordial ties, going back to the early years after the Soviet breakup. But despite that goodwill, trade between them has barely scratched the surface. Most of their potential has been stuck behind geography, poor logistics, and limited awareness of what each side needs.
That’s why the new Transit Trade Agreement matters. It would give Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries a direct route to the Arabian Sea through Karachi and Gwadar. For Kazakhstan, a landlocked country, this could be a game changer and cheaper transport, faster access to markets, and less dependence on northern routes through Russia.
For Pakistan, it’s a chance to become the main gateway between Central Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia. It fits neatly with Islamabad’s larger strategy of turning the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into a broader regional trade network.
The business side of things
The two governments are making a big push for their private sectors to get involved. Instead of relying on state-to-state deals alone, they’re encouraging business forums, exhibitions, and direct networking between entrepreneurs.
Kazakh delegations are expected to visit cities like Karachi and Faisalabad to check out Pakistan’s textile and leather industries. Meanwhile, Pakistani exporters are eyeing Almaty and Astana to explore partnerships in agriculture, logistics, and IT.
There’s also talk of setting up a Pakistan–Kazakhstan Business Council to help companies cut through red tape, sort out customs issues, and figure out payments and the usual headaches that come with cross-border trade.
The logistics backbone
Trade doesn’t work without roads and ports, and both sides seem to understand that. The new transit system would plug Kazakhstan into Pakistan’s motorway and railway networks, letting goods flow down to Karachi and Gwadar.
Once it’s fully functional, the route could cut the distance between Almaty and Karachi to around 3,000 kilometers, which is roughly half of what current trade routes require. There are even talks about direct flights between Islamabad and Almaty to make business and tourism easier.
Visa facilitation is also on the table, something that can make or break these kinds of efforts. Business travel needs to be simple if the two sides want to build trust.
Chasing the $1 billion goal
Right now, Pakistan–Kazakhstan trade is small less than $100 million a year by most estimates. But both sides think that once the transit system is up and running, hitting $1 billion isn’t out of reach.
To make sure the plan doesn’t lose steam, they’re setting up a Joint Intergovernmental Commission to monitor progress and push new initiatives. Regular meetings will help keep the focus on results instead of letting the momentum fade.
If things go well, Kazakhstan could also serve as a doorway for Pakistan into the broader Central Asian market like Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan included and a region that’s hungry for goods. Pakistan already produces, like textiles, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods.
A bigger regional picture
This growing partnership isn’t just about trade. It fits into a larger shift happening across Eurasia. Central Asian countries are looking for more southern access, while Pakistan wants to expand its economic footprint beyond South Asia. Both are trying to balance their foreign policies by working with multiple partners like China, Russia, Turkey, and now each other.
In a way, it’s a modern take on the old Silk Road idea and not just trading goods but creating connections. For Pakistan, it’s a chance to prove that geography can be an asset, not a limitation. For Kazakhstan, it’s a way to diversify routes and strengthen its independence in global trade.
Looking ahead
There’s still a lot of work to be done infrastructure, banking channels, visa policies, and plain old trust between businesses. But if both sides stay serious about implementation, this could become one of the more meaningful partnerships in the region.
It’s easy to make declarations at summits; the hard part is turning them into trade deals, investment flows, and jobs on the ground. Pakistan and Kazakhstan seem to know that which is why they’re focusing more on business-to-business engagement instead of just political speeches.
If the $1 billion goal is reached, it won’t just be a number on paper. It’ll mark the start of a more connected Central and South Asia where countries trade because it makes sense, not just because they’ve always said they’re friends.
