Islamabad and Astana are nearing a strategic agreement that could give Kazakhstan direct access to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, a move set to reshape regional trade routes. Officials expect the deal to be signed during Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s planned visit to Pakistan in November.
September Talks to Finalize Terms
A senior Kazakh delegation is expected in Islamabad in mid-September to iron out the details. Initially, Kazakhstan had shown interest in setting up a goods terminal at Karachi Port to boost exports to the European Union and the United States. Pakistan, however, is pushing for Gwadar instead, seeing the deep-sea port as central to its ambition of becoming a trade hub for Central Asia.
Maritime Ties at the Forefront
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, met with Federal Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Tuesday to discuss expanding cooperation. Chaudhry proposed joint ventures at both Karachi and Gwadar ports while highlighting Gwadar’s Free Zone as a launchpad for regional trade initiatives.
Pakistan’s strategy centers on positioning Gwadar as a key maritime outlet for landlocked Central Asian countries, providing access not only to the Persian Gulf but also to markets in Africa and Southeast Asia.
Kazakhstan’s Broader Regional Vision
Ambassador Kistafin welcomed Pakistan’s proposals, stressing that Kazakhstan sees Pakistani ports as vital transit points not just for Astana but for the entire region. He confirmed that Kazakhstan’s communication minister, who also oversees maritime affairs, will lead a delegation to Pakistan soon to hammer out the technical details of logistics and trade connectivity.
Strategic Implications
If signed, the agreement would strengthen Pakistan’s role in regional trade, while offering Kazakhstan an alternative route to global markets, reducing reliance on Russian or Chinese corridors. For Pakistan, the deal would bring more activity to Gwadar Port—an underutilized piece of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure—and support its push to attract investment and integrate with Central Asian economies.
