Report : Tazeen Akhtar | Camera : Raja Ghulam Farid | Islamabad Shots
Republic of Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central Asia, in the Organization of Islamic Countries and 09th in the whole world, has passed through a turning point of national history after the new constitution entered into force on 01 July 2026 on the path to transform the state into New Kazakhstan according to the vision of President Kassym Jomart Tokayev as he seeks ” Just, Strong, Safe, Clean and Advanced Kazakhstan.”
This was shared by Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin in his press conference on 20 July at the embassy in Islamabad. He shed light on the address of the President to joint session of the Parliament on 30 June 2026 and highlighted keynotes including beginning of construction of first nuclear power plant next year and five strategic priorities outlined by the leader of the nation.
1- Modernizing State Institutions
2- Transitioning to a New Economic Model
3- Strengthening Energy and Infrastructure
4- Building a Fully Digital State
5- Investing in Human Capital
The vision of a “New Kazakhstan” is focused on building a more transparent, accountable and inclusive state.The bicameral Parliament will be replaced by a unicameral Kurultai for which snap Parliamentary election will be held on 23rd of Aug this year.
President Tokayev highlighted the adoption of more than 300 laws over the past three years to support the country’s political and economic transformation. He mentioned upcoming election as an opportunity to demonstrate open, honest and competitive democratic politics. Along with the Basic Law, the system of state power will also undergo a fundamental transformation.
Ambassador Kistafin shared the facts and figures of national economic development as it was detailed by the President in his address.
Regarding Constitutional Reforms and Modernizing the State Institutions, the Ambassador shared important points of the President’s address. He said, with new constitution and with unicameral parliament institutional balance is sought. The country will be Presidential Republic while strengthening legislative institutions and improving the balance between branches of the goverment. Greater public participation in law making will be facilitated through digitization of the Kurultai.
A new body “People’s Council” is established to unite representatives of all public representatives bodies, experts and civil society. This body will assume the functions carried out by by the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan.
On new economic model, the President shared, last year, the national economy grew by 6.5 percent.For the first time in our history, GDP exceeded $300 billion, while GDP per capita has increased by 50 percent since 2019, reaching $15 thousand.This is one of the highest figures among the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Inflation was brought down. After the first five months of this year, it had declined to 10.4 percent. As a result, the foundation has been laid for a new model of Kazakhstan’s economy. Modern plants are being established across the country to manufacture automobiles, household appliances, freight railcars, construction materials, and other high-quality products. Between 2023 and 2025 alone, 540 industrial projects worth 3.7 trillion tenge were implemented.
The projects already launched have created nearly 50,000 permanent jobs. The completion of the planned 200 facilities will create employment opportunities for more than 20,000 additional people. Over the past five years, employment in small and medium-sized businesses has reached 4.5 million people. The share of this sector in GDP has also reached a record level, surpassing 40 percent for the first time.
More than 20 million square meters of housing were built in Kazakhstan – the highest figure in history, last year. Thousands of families were able to move into homes of their own. This year, twelve major projects are scheduled for completion, providing more than half a million rural residents with access to clean drinking water.
Last year, one trillion tenge in credit resources was mobilized for concessional financing of the agro-industrial sector. For the first time, farmers gained access to long-term financing at an annual interest rate of five percent, contributing significantly to the modernization of agriculture.
As a result of these measures, gross agricultural output reached nearly ten trillion tenge, while exports increased by 30 percent to seven billion U.S. dollars – the highest level in more than a decade.
Kazakhstan has also achieved significant progress in domestic pharmaceutical industry. According to the World Health Organization, Kazakhstan ranks first among the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States in public confidence in its pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical market has exceeded one trillion tenge, while foreign investment in the sector has more than tripled over the past three years.
Bilateral Relations
Ambassador Kistafin also spoke about the current state of Kazakhstan-Pakistan relations, highlighting the high level of political dialogue between the two countries. He reviewed the key outcomes of President Tokayev’s first state visit to Islamabad in February this year and noted the steady expansion of bilateral cooperation in transport and logistics, trade and investment, education, IT, digitalization, culture, tourism, sports, and other areas.
He said direct flights between two countries will be started next year. Regarding a question by this scribe about reciprocal flight of PIA, Ambassador replied, we have been discussing that with the concerned officials but it is not possible for PIA due to financial reasons.
He emphsized on Rail connectivity to give a boost to bilateral trade , especially for Wheat and Petroleum export from Kazakhstan. For that he gave examples of possible rail connectivity from Uzbek and Turkmen sides. He said , from Turkmen side we see rail connection with Chaman that is further connected with Karachi port.
Mr. Kistafin added, this route may connect Pakistan with Middle Corridore. He said, 85% of trade between China and Europe is being conducted through this corridore.
On another question by this scribe related to Kazakhstan China and Pakistan route , Ambassador said , this part of China is most hilly area and not possible for rail route. Instead QTTA is feasible and Kazakhstan is keen to be part of it.
The Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement (QTTA) route connects Pakistan to Central Asia by completely bypassing Afghanistan through western China. It stretches approximately 3,300 km from the warm-water ports of Karachi and Gwadar to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, utilizing the Karakoram Highway and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Middle East Crisis
This scribe asked the Ambassador about any possibility of any role Kazakhstan can play in restoration of peace and stability in Middle East as Israel is considered as a spoiler and Kazakhstan has excellent relations with Isreal , President Tokayev said in his interview in Pakistan?
Ambassador replied, ” Middle East crisis is very complicated matter. We will be happy if we can play any role for pease there but it is not possible for us.”
Finally, when Mr. Kistafin assumed charge in 2021, Gov of Pakistan had recently introduced her Vision of Central Asia. Actually , Pakistan had a vision of Central Asia since the independence of the states but the proxies and political, geographic differences between the countries of the region never let Pakistan to develop meaningful cooperation and connectivity. Afghanistan remained a hurdle always.
For that reason, Ambassador emphasized on peace and stability in the region. But certainly it is not on the cards of some states , regional and international both. India , Afghanistan and US ,Iran are major problems. Pakistan is the only country in the region that is promoting stability through her responsible policy of restraint. But the peace and stability is not the sole responsibility of Pakistan.
