ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for raising trade volume between Pakistan and Kazakhstan to $1 billion, as both countries signed more than 30 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering sectors including petroleum, mining, and maritime affairs.

Speaking at a joint press conference after the signing ceremony, the prime minister said the current trade of $250 million did not reflect the full strength of bilateral relations or economic potential. “Let us commit to raising our trade volume to $1 billion within the next one year,” he said.

Earlier, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received a warm reception at the Prime Minister’s House, including a guard of honour, as he arrived for a two-day state visit at the invitation of PM Shehbaz.

Accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior cabinet ministers and officials, President Tokayev was welcomed with the national anthems of both countries, and a ceremonial review of the guard of honour by a contingent of Pakistan’s armed forces.

The two leaders conducted one-on-one talks followed by delegation-level discussions to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore new avenues for cooperation. The MoUs and agreements signed during the visit aim to further strengthen economic and strategic ties.

During his visit, Kazakhstan President Tokayev also planted a commemorative sapling at the Prime Minister’s House. The route of his motorcade and major avenues of Islamabad were adorned with Pakistani and Kazakh flags and large portraits of the Kazakh president.

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a one-on-one meeting with President Tokayev, extending greetings on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari, PM Shehbaz, and the people of Pakistan. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation across political, economic, and people-to-people domains, emphasizing joint efforts for regional peace, stability, and development.