Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the need to start work on the feasibility of a rail link between Pakistan and Kazakhstan. He made this statement during a meeting with Kazakhstan’s Minister of Transport, Marat Karabayev, in Islamabad.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister highlighted that the proposed rail link could be a transformative project for the region, connecting Central Asian states with Gwadar Port. A delegation from Pakistan is expected to visit Kazakhstan soon to discuss the feasibility and technical aspects of the rail link.

In addition to the rail project, there is potential for cooperation in education, with the possibility of Kazakh universities establishing campuses in Pakistan. Prime Minister Sharif also tasked the relevant authorities to develop a plan for direct air links between Kazakhstan and Pakistan, underscoring the importance of strengthening business-to-business relationships.

The meeting also covered areas of potential collaboration, including agriculture, economy, trade, investment, IT, and communication. The Kazakh Minister briefed the Prime Minister on his visit and the agreements signed during the 13th session of the Pak-Kazakhstan Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Cultural Cooperation.

Kazakhstan’s business community and investors, currently visiting Pakistan, have shown keen interest in fostering business-to-business relations. The Kazakh Minister acknowledged Pakistan as a rapidly emerging market and emphasized the strategic importance of Karachi and Gwadar ports to Kazakhstan.