Pakistan and Kazakhstan likely to sign landmark Gwadar port access deal.
Pakistan and Kazakhstan are all set to sign a landmark agreement granting the Central Asian nation access to Gwadar Port, with the deal expected to be signed during the visit of Kazakhstan’s President in November this year.
According to a report by Express Tribune, a high-level Kazakh delegation is scheduled to visit Islamabad in the second week of September to finalize arrangements for the agreement.
Kazakhstan has expressed interest in establishing a goods terminal at Karachi Port to facilitate exports to the European Union and the United States.
However, Pakistan is keen to redirect this initiative to Gwadar Port, aiming to position it as a key transit hub for Central Asia.
Cooperation in the maritime sector
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, met with Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Tuesday to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in the maritime sector.
Both sides expressed strong interest in leveraging Pakistan’s strategic port infrastructure to enhance Kazakhstan’s trade connectivity.
The federal minister proposed joint ventures at Karachi and Gwadar ports, emphasizing the potential of the Gwadar Free Zone for fostering economic partnerships.
He highlighted Pakistan’s vision of forming a consortium with Central Asian states to develop the maritime sector and strengthen regional trade ties.
Ambassador Kistafin welcomed these initiatives, stating that Kazakhstan is eager to utilize Pakistani ports as transit hubs, not only for Astana but for the broader Central Asian region.
He confirmed that a ministerial-level delegation, led by Kazakhstan’s communication minister, who also oversees maritime affairs, will soon visit Pakistan to hold detailed discussions on maritime trade and logistics.
During the meeting, the federal minister highlighted the critical role of Pakistani ports as gateways for landlocked Central Asian nations, offering access to markets in the Persian Gulf, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to transforming its maritime sector into a regional trade hub through innovative approaches and strengthened international partnerships.
