President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrives in Pakistan today on his first-ever state visit, officials are calling this visit as an important and long-awaited one, as both countries look to reset and strengthen ties at a time when regional cooperation and trade routes are becoming more critical than before.
He is coming with a big delegation, senior cabinet ministers and other officials will also accompany him. This shows that this is not just formal visit but official visit, topics like trade, business and cooperation will be discussed. Both sides have stated they want stronger ties now.
During his two day stay, Tokayev will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and also Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Talks will be held and also he will address Pakistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum. Business people from both countries expected there. They will talk about exports, imports, logistics, and investment.
Officials said this visit gives both countries chance to review their bilateral relations. Means looking at past cooperation and also finding new areas. Trade is one big area, also regional connectivity, transport routes, people to people contacts. People to people sounds small but it matters because without that relations stay only on paper.
Pakistan wants better access to Central Asia and Kazakhstan wants routes to warm water ports, so both sides see benefit here. This has been said many times before also, but now again they have highlighted its importance. They will also discuss working together in regional and international forums.
The visit is also seen as opportunity to open new doors in logistics and connectivity, especially when region is changing fast and countries are trying not to depend on only few markets. Still, no big announcement expected right away.
Some officials called it timely, some said comprehensive review will be done. Whether this actually turns into projects or just statements remains to be seen.
For now, President Tokayev’s arrival shows Pakistan and Kazakhstan trying again to move closer, economically and diplomatically, and both sides appear hopeful, even if things move slowly and step by step.
Source: Radio Pakistan