Pakistan, Kazakhstan Agree to Boost Trade with Direct Flights and Business Forums
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Kazakhstan have agreed to expand economic cooperation by launching direct flights, simplifying business visa procedures, and organizing joint business forums. The development followed a meeting between Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin and Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Tuesday.
According to an official statement, both sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral trade, enhance institutional linkages, and promote collaboration between the Chambers of Commerce of the two countries.
Minister Abdul Aleem Khan announced that Kazakh businesspersons will soon be able to receive two-year visas within 24 hours, while a five-year multiple-entry visa for Chamber members is also under consideration. He stressed that direct air connectivity will be a major step toward raising trade volumes.
Ambassador Kistafin welcomed the proposal to host a business forum in Lahore, following the success of a similar event in Karachi, and confirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to participating in joint business activities across Pakistan.
The talks also reviewed the recent visit of Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister to Pakistan and upcoming participation of Minister Abdul Aleem Khan in the Global Transport Conference in Kazakhstan.
Ambassador Kistafin further noted Kazakhstan’s interest in developing a trade corridor with Pakistan, exploring multiple routes through Afghanistan, China, and Iran to make the project viable.
Both leaders agreed that Pakistan and Kazakhstan hold vast untapped potential, stressing the need for practical steps to transform shared opportunities into meaningful partnerships.
