Kazakhstan President Tokayev lands in Pakistan on two-day state visit

President Zardari, PM Shehbaz receive Kazakh President at Nur Khan Airbase

ISLAMABAD: Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday for a two-day official visit—his first state visit to the country—as Islamabad and Astana look to further deepen bilateral cooperation.

The two countries enjoy cordial diplomatic relations, with Kazakhstan ranking as Pakistan’s top export destination in Central Asia. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar received the visiting dignitary upon his arrival at Nur Khan Airbase.

According to state-run Radio Pakistan, a 21-gun salute was presented to the visiting dignitary. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar posted on social media platform X: “Honoured to welcome His Excellency Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on his two-day official visit to Pakistan. He was received at the airport by President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“This will be a great visit in terms of strong ties between both countries and we look forward to further strengthening our friendship and bilateral cooperation,” he said.

Tokayev is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior cabinet ministers and other high-ranking officials. A video shared by his office showed the streets in Islamabad adorned with Kazakhstan’s national flag.

In a handout issued earlier in the day, the President’s Secretariat said that President Zardari will confer the Nishan-i-Pakistan, the country’s highest civilian award, on the Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan presidents; the latter is expected to visit the country sometime this month.

According to the Foreign Office (FO), President Tokayev is expected to hold meetings with President Zardari and PM Shehbaz, as well as address the Pakistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum. President Tokayev’s visit will provide Islamabad and Astana “an important and timely opportunity to undertake a comprehensive review” of bilateral relations, the FO had highlighted.

It added that the two sides will discuss new avenues for broadening cooperation, particularly in trade, logistics, regional connectivity and people-to-people contacts, as well as explore collaboration at regional and international forums.