Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-Pakistan strategic partnership

2026-02-06 - 22:36

THE most recent visits of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Pakistan have significantly enhanced the scope, strategic importance and expansion of bilateral and trilateral partnerships among these countries, geared towards greater trans-regional connectivity, socio-economic integration, qualitative industrialization and digitalization. These engagements also emphasize the consolidation of economic security, banking and financial cooperation as well as meaningful military ties essential for regional peace, stability and harmony. Fixing bilateral trade at up to $2 billion appears achievable through extended economic cooperation, coordinated industrial collaboration and, importantly, the inclusion of the private sector as a value addition in the coming years. During President Mirziyoyev’s visit, Uzbekistan and Pakistan signed 28 agreements and memoranda of understanding covering diverse areas, including an action plan for defence cooperation, ecology, climate change and disaster risk reduction, agriculture, sanitary protocols for fruit exports, mining and geosciences, transfer of sentenced persons and cooperation in combating drug trafficking. These agreements are expected to strengthen bilateral trade volumes, expand business activities, enhance investment opportunities and improve the prospects for joint ventures between the two countries. Similarly, Kazakhstan and Pakistan signed 37 MoUs during President Tokayev’s visit and set a target of increasing bilateral trade to $1 billion within a year. These agreements span petroleum, mining and geosciences, maritime affairs, customs, railways, agriculture, artificial intelligence and digital development, health, education, science and technology, news exchange and broadcasting, information exchange and professional development, climate change and environmental protection, culture, humanitarian collaboration, crime prevention and sports. The two sides also concluded a treaty on extradition and a transit trade agreement, reflecting the immense untapped potential between their economies, communities and enterprises. These initiatives signal a gradual shift from source-oriented growth towards services-led economic stability and sustainability, while providing fresh impetus to export diversification, industrial manufacturing, the digital economy, green transformation and collective efforts to combat global warming. The writer believes that urgent long-term policy initiatives are required to translate these MoUs into tangible outcomes so that the caravans of the ancient Silk Road may once again reach regional shores and cities. The establishment of reciprocal trade houses, preferential customs and clearing facilities, e-commerce platforms and joint mechanisms to transition from preferential trade to free trade and from transit trade to bilateral and trilateral trade, would be crucial. Similarly, shifting from land-based logistics to integrated aerial transport through the formation of a Uzbekistan–Kazakhstan–Pakistan commercial cargo company, investment bank or company, military manufacturing units, industrial special economic zones, dual educational degree programmes, alternative land connectivity routes and the revival of sustainable banking and financial cooperation would represent strategic value additions in realizing long-pending connectivity between Central and South Asia. Alternatively, further strengthening of the bilateral Transit Trade Agreement (TTA), alongside the introduction of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), would supplement and support growing trade and commercial activities among these countries. The writer suggests that a joint bilateral or trilateral anti-terrorism mechanism would be instrumental in eradicating terrorism from the region, particularly in restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan, the missing link in trans-regional connectivity and prosperity. A trilateral anti-terrorism force safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity while promoting regional safety and security would be a decisive step in the right direction. In promoting tourism, media, culture, hospitality and sports, the formation of bilateral or trilateral governmental tourism companies, a common visa regime, joint drama and film production houses, digital platforms to preserve heritage and culture and joint ventures in hoteling, hospitality and sports would further strengthen people-to-people connectivity. For private-sector development and its integration into the economies, exports and manufacturing capacities of the three countries, the writer proposes a comprehensive roadmap through the establishment of bilateral or trilateral chambers of commerce, financial companies and marketing houses. These mechanisms would help bridge existing gaps and transform cooperation into engines of development and dialogue through shared investment by banking institutions, microfinance entities and private investors. A collaborative framework to facilitate youth entrepreneurship, modeled on China and Singapore, should be implemented to reduce poverty and generate employment. Moreover, cooperation in Islamic banking, consumer banking and investment banking could open new avenues for joint prosperity and enterprise-led growth. The writer further emphasizes that cooperation in SMEs and social sectors—particularly housing, women empowerment, disaster management and climate change—requires the establishment of joint technical education centers and stronger NGO networks, following the models of China, Bangladesh and Germany. Pakistan’s Akhuwat Foundation could play a pivotal role in addressing poverty at the grassroots level. Additionally, the formation of bilateral or trilateral energy companies focusing on wind and solar power, lithium batteries, electric vehicles and the digital economy would act as a catalyst for overcoming energy-related challenges. In conclusion, the visits of Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev mark the beginning of a new strategic era among Tashkent, Astana and Islamabad, driven by improved political understanding, deeper socio-economic integration and joint efforts to realize the vision of trans-regional connectivity through the Middle Corridor. These leaders have conveyed a clear message of development, dialogue, diplomacy, peace, stability and prosperity through proposed mega projects in rail connectivity, investment, joint ventures, industrialization and hybrid agriculture. Access to Pakistan’s seaports offers a win-win opportunity, enabling Uzbek and Kazakh cargo to reach Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar, positioning these ports as vital logistical solutions not only for Kazakhstan but for the wider Central Asian region. The writer concludes that expanded cooperation in defence production, technology transfer and industrial collaboration through knowledge sharing, joint ventures and long-term institutional linkages would further strengthen this emerging trilateral partnership. —The writer is President, the Centre for Knowledge and Public Policy, Regional Expert: China, CPEC, BRI & World Affairs. mehmoodulhassankhan7@gmail.com