Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, has outlined an ambitious railway project that aims to connect Kazakhstan to Pakistan through Turkmenistan and Afghanistan through a Kazakhstan-Pakistan Railway. This project, if realized, would offer Central Asia direct access to the Arabian Sea, potentially transforming the region’s economic landscape.
Speaking to Geo News in Islamabad, Kistafin emphasized that this initiative is part of a longstanding strategy to enhance regional connectivity. The railway would link Kazakhstan to Pakistan’s ports in Karachi and Gwadar, providing a crucial route for landlocked Central Asian countries.
The project has gained momentum due to the political will of leaders like Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has prioritized regional connectivity despite domestic political challenges. Regular engagement with Central Asian states has shifted discussions from declarations to concrete plans focusing on implementation, financing, and timelines.
Currently, trade between Pakistan and Kazakhstan is valued at approximately $300 million annually, a figure deemed misleading due to access issues. The proposed railway promises to resolve transit challenges, offering a stable trade route less susceptible to political and security disruptions.
The railway’s path would run from Kazakhstan through Turkmenistan, entering Afghanistan’s western corridor before reaching Pakistan at Chaman. This segment is seen as both a strategic centerpiece and a challenge due to Afghanistan’s security situation. However, Kistafin argues that connectivity fosters stability and peace.
Kazakhstan has committed to funding the project, viewing it as a mutually beneficial investment rather than aid. The railway would integrate Pakistan into major Eurasian trade networks, enhancing its role as a transit hub linking South Asia with Central Asia, the Caucasus, and beyond.
Economic projections suggest that trade between Pakistan and Kazakhstan could soar to $14 billion once transportation bottlenecks are removed. This figure excludes potential trade with other Central Asian nations.
The initiative has been further bolstered by high-level visits, including that of Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to Kazakhstan. Discussions have extended beyond military cooperation to include infrastructure protection and regional trade corridor security.
Kazakhstan’s broader goal is to transform Central Asia from a landlocked to a land-linked region. The proposed corridor would extend existing networks southward, facilitating trade between Central Asia and regions like the Gulf, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Efforts to ease mobility between Kazakhstan and Pakistan are underway, with business visas expedited and direct flights planned. Security concerns, including human trafficking, are being addressed through bilateral coordination.
This railway proposal marks a significant shift in regional dynamics, offering a new direction for trade and connectivity. Whether political and security conditions align to realize this vision remains to be seen, but the groundwork is being laid for a transformative future.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, January 28th, 2026
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
