Rail Links, Digital Future on Agenda as Kazakhstan Eyes Closer Ties

ISLAMABAD (DI NEWS) : Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, hosted a press briefing  in Islamabad to highlight President Kassym Jomart Tokayev’s recent address at the 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in Astana on September 17. The envoy used the occasion to underline Kazakhstan’s vision of connectivity, digital transformation, and expanded cooperation with Pakistan.

Kistafin noted that Astana is placing strong emphasis on emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency, and is seeking strategic collaboration with Pakistan in these areas. “Pakistan has vast potential in information technology and communications, and we believe our two countries can work together closely in this field,” he remarked.The ambassador also pointed to Kazakhstan’s growing focus on regional corridors and railway links, saying the proposed Turghundi Herat line in Afghanistan could open direct access to Pakistani markets. He stressed that greater engagement in the North South and Middle Corridors would boost trade, transit, and employment opportunities across the region.

Despite several business forums, including one in Karachi earlier this year that attracted more than 150 Kazakh and 500 Pakistani participants, bilateral trade remains modest, currently standing at around US$293 million. “This is far below the real potential,” Kistafin observed.It was in this context that he confirmed President Tokayev’s forthcoming visit to Pakistan later this year at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The visit, he said, would raise cooperation to a “new level” by consolidating progress in trade, infrastructure, and technology.

Kistafin also highlighted the educational dimension of ties, pointing out that over 1,000 Pakistani students, many of them pursuing medical degrees, are studying in Kazakhstan. He said joint campuses and new university agreements were under discussion to expand academic exchanges.The envoy expressed confidence that Pakistan’s participation in regional connectivity projects, combined with enhanced cooperation in technology and education, would cement long term strategic relations between the two countries.