ISLAMABAD:(Our Correspondent) The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Pakistan has hosted an expert meeting in Islamabad to discuss the country’s key political and economic priorities outlined by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his State of the Nation Address delivered on October 28, 2026.
The meeting brought together representatives of leading Pakistani think tanks, academic institutions and media organizations to exchange views on Kazakhstan’s development strategy, regional connectivity and prospects for bilateral cooperation.
Addressing the gathering, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerkin Tukumov, highlighted the country’s achievements over 35 years of independence, describing Kazakhstan as Central Asia’s largest economy, a major investment and logistics hub in Eurasia, and an emerging middle power pursuing a balanced and pragmatic foreign policy.
The Ambassador particularly emphasized the importance of developing regional transport and logistics corridors, including the CASA corridor, to strengthen connectivity between Central and South Asia, enhance transit potential and provide Kazakhstan with additional access to Pakistani seaports.
Pakistani experts appreciated Kazakhstan’s strategic vision and ongoing reforms, while proposing new areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director of the Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future and Editor-in-Chief of Daily Big Digit, proposed establishing a Kazakhstan-Pakistan “Research Corridor” to promote joint research, strengthen links between universities and engage young people in collaborative projects.
Dr. Irfan Shahzad Takalvi, President of the Eurasian Century Institute, welcomed Kazakhstan’s announcement of a three-year moratorium on inspections of micro and small businesses, describing it as an important step towards encouraging entrepreneurship and economic growth.
He also stressed the significance of regional transport connectivity, particularly the Khorgos-Khunjerab-Karachi route, which could facilitate bilateral trade and improve access to Central and South Asian markets.
Prof. Adam Saud of Bahria University highlighted Kazakhstan’s progress in transport and logistics infrastructure and its potential role in regional integration through platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). He also pointed to the country’s strong economic performance, noting that its projected GDP per capita of more than 19,000 US dollars in 2026 reflected the impact of its economic policies.
Muhammad Zaman Bajwa, Central Asia Correspondent for Daily Parliament Times and Editor of The Diplomatic Views, identified artificial intelligence, energy and media as promising areas for bilateral cooperation. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening people-to-people contacts.
Referring to Pakistan’s growing digital economy, he noted that the country’s IT services exports reached 4.6 billion US dollars during fiscal year 2025-26, highlighting opportunities for cooperation in technology and digital services.
The meeting concluded with an emphasis on strengthening Pakistan-Kazakhstan relations through academic exchanges, economic collaboration, regional connectivity and cooperation in emerging technologies.
The event also coincided with Allama Iqbal Day, a national holiday in Pakistan. On the occasion, Ambassador Yerkin Tukumov extended greetings to the Pakistani people and highlighted the enduring relevance of Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s philosophy, particularly his emphasis on education, enlightenment and national progress.
