Islamabad: Pakistan and Kazakhstan on Wednesday agreed to elevate their bilateral ties to the level of a Strategic Partnership, marking a significant diplomatic milestone during the state visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Pakistan after a gap of 23 years.
The understanding was formalized through a Joint Declaration signed in Islamabad during President Tokayev’s two-day official visit from February 3 to 4, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Both leaders described the visit as historic, terming it the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral cooperation grounded in long-standing cultural, historical, and fraternal relations between the two nations.
The two sides reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, and non-interference in internal affairs.
They also recalled that Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991, and expressed satisfaction over the steady growth of bilateral relations since the signing of the 1992 Declaration on Principles of Relations.
Under the newly established Strategic Partnership framework, Pakistan and Kazakhstan agreed to significantly expand cooperation across eight priority areas, including political dialogue, security and defense, trade and investment, transport and logistics, education and information technology, culture and tourism, climate change and environmental coordination, and collaboration at regional and international forums.
The leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing connectivity and economic engagement to unlock the full potential of bilateral trade and investment, while also promoting people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges.
They reiterated their shared vision of strengthening regional stability, sustainable development, and multilateral cooperation.
Both countries expressed confidence that the Strategic Partnership would further deepen mutual trust, broaden cooperation, and contribute positively to regional peace, prosperity, and development.