Islamabad, September 3, 2025 — Pakistan and Kazakhstan are nearing a landmark agreement that will grant the Central Asian republic direct access to Gwadar Port, a strategic move expected to reshape regional trade dynamics. The deal is anticipated to be signed during the upcoming visit of Kazakhstan’s President in November, signaling a new era of maritime cooperation between the two nations.
A high-level Kazakh delegation is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad in mid-September to finalize the framework of the agreement. While Kazakhstan initially proposed establishing a goods terminal at Karachi Port to streamline exports to the European Union and the United States, Pakistan is advocating for Gwadar Port to serve as the primary transit hub, aiming to elevate its role in Central Asian trade.
In a pivotal meeting held on Tuesday, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, met with Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry to discuss expanding bilateral maritime collaboration. Both sides expressed strong interest in leveraging Pakistan’s port infrastructure to enhance Kazakhstan’s connectivity with global markets.
Minister Chaudhry proposed joint ventures at both Karachi and Gwadar ports, highlighting the Gwadar Free Zone’s potential to foster economic partnerships. He emphasized Pakistan’s strategic vision of forming a consortium with Central Asian states to develop the maritime sector and strengthen regional trade ties.
Ambassador Kistafin welcomed the initiatives, affirming Kazakhstan’s eagerness to utilize Pakistani ports not only for Astana but for broader Central Asian logistics. He confirmed that a ministerial-level delegation, led by Kazakhstan’s communication minister—who also oversees maritime affairs—will soon visit Pakistan for detailed discussions on trade and logistics.
The federal minister underscored 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 powerhouse through innovation and international partnerships.
This agreement, once signed, is expected to unlock new economic corridors, boost regional integration, and position Gwadar as a pivotal node in Eurasian trade.