Pakistan to Launch Direct Flights to Largest Central Asian Country
Pakistan and Kazakhstan have decided to boost economic ties by introducing direct flights, easing business visa procedures, and organizing joint business forums, following a meeting between Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin and Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Tuesday.
According to an official statement, the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, expanding trade opportunities, and enhancing institutional linkages. Both sides agreed that direct air connectivity and collaboration between the Chambers of Commerce will play a key role in advancing trade relations.
Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan highlighted that improved connectivity is a shared priority to significantly raise trade volumes. He announced that Kazakh businesspersons would soon be eligible for two-year visas issued within 24 hours, while a proposal for five-year multiple-entry visas for Chamber of Commerce members is also under review.
Ambassador Kistafin supported the initiative of hosting a business forum in Lahore, similar to one already held in Karachi, and confirmed that Kazakhstan would actively engage in joint business events across Pakistan.
The talks also reviewed the recent visit of Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and ministers to Pakistan. Abdul Aleem Khan further stated that he would represent Pakistan at the upcoming Global Transport Conference in Kazakhstan.
Ambassador Kistafin noted that Kazakhstan is keen to establish a trade corridor with Pakistan, using its own resources, and is exploring multiple routes through Afghanistan, China, and Iran to make the project feasible.
Both leaders emphasized that Pakistan and Kazakhstan hold immense untapped potential and agreed that practical steps must now be taken to transform shared opportunities into reality.
They also exchanged views on regional developments and the challenges facing the two countries.
Reference Link:- https://propakistani.pk/2025/09/17/pakistan-to-launch-direct-flights-to-largest-central-asian-country/
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
