President Asif Zardari and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Photo: Screengrab
President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday awarded the country’s highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, to Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his official visit to the country.
A special investiture ceremony was held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and other dignitaries.
The president also held delegation-level talks with his Kazakh counterpart, with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation in trade, connectivity, defense and regional stability.
🇵🇰🇰🇿 President Asif Ali Zardari met President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at Aiwan-e-Sadr, held delegation-level talks and conferred Nishan-e-Pakistan. Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, connectivity, defense and regional stability. @TokayevKZ @aqorda_press pic.twitter.com/Gy0W04JYzR
— President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) February 4, 2026
Earlier in the day, Pakistan and Kazakhstan signed more than 30 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) aimed at achieving a trade target of USD 1 billion across multiple sectors.
In a joint press conference after the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the current level of trade does not reflect the strength of bilateral ties or the economic potential of the two countries.
“Unfortunately, our trade volume is a paltry $250 million, which does not reflect the strength of our friendship and the potential of both countries. Let us commit to raising our trade volume to $1 billion within the next year,” he said.
President Tokayev described Pakistan as a “reliable and important partner in South Asia and beyond”.
“Our people are united by centuries-old ties rooted in the legacy of the great Silk Road, as well as by deep cultural and spiritual affinity,” Tokayev said.
Read more: Pakistan, Kazakhstan sign 30-plus MoUs
“Our nations share common values, traditions and common aspirations for the future,” he added.
Tokayev said the two sides had “signed a historic document – a joint declaration – on establishing a strategic partnership between Pakistan and Kazakhstan”.
“By elevating our relations to a new level, we open up enormous opportunities to engage across the full spectrum of bilateral and multilateral agendas,” he said.
Tokayev arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday and was received at Nur Khan Airbase by Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Zardari. A six-man squadron of Pakistan Air Force fighter jets paid an air salute as his aircraft entered Pakistani airspace.
