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SCCI chief calls for JVs, removal of tariff barriers and simply visa regime
Kazakhstan is keen to boost trade and economic relations with Pakistan: Yerzhan Kistafin
Junaid Altaf wants Special Facilitation Desk in Kazakhstan Embassy, formation of Joint Business Council
SCCI president praises efforts and initiatives of SIFC for economic growth and regional trade promotion
Press Release
October 30, 2025
PESHAWAR: President of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Junaid Altaf called for the launch of joint ventures, simplifying visa process and removing obstacles, tariff barriers to improve the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
He was speaking to members during the visit of Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Mr Yerzhan Kistafin at chamber house.
SCCI chief stated prospects for improving the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Kazakhstan are brighter and stressed concrete steps to enhance cooperation to improve the current trade volume.
The meeting was attended by SCCI senior vice president Muhammad Nadeem, vice president Sabir Ahmad Bangash, former presidents Malik Niaz Ahmad, Zulfiqar Ali Khan, Sherbaz Bilour, Chairman of the SCCI Standing Committee on Pakistan and Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics Bilateral Trade Promotion and former SVP Shahid Hussain, Ex-SVP Imran Khan Mohmand, former vice president Haris Mufti, Abidullah Yousafzai, members of the chamber’s executive committee Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, Saifullah Khan, Ashfaq Ahmad, Shamsur Rahim, and Ihsanullah Yousafzai, Saddar Gul, Faiz Rasool, Ishtiaq Paracha, Sanan Sethi, Rashid Iqbal Siddiqui, Sohail Javed, Syed Ejaz Ali Shah, Naeem ur Rehman, Chairman Institute of Regional Studies Peshawar Dr Iqbal Khalil, SCCI Secretary General Muqtasid Ahsan, WCCIP President Qurtul Ain, SVP Zaara Imtiaz, Vice president Zareen Akhtar, traders, industrialists associated with Pak-Afghan trade and export.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a lucrative destination for foreign investors wherein vast investment opportunities were available in oil, gas, hydel power generation, gems, jewelry, carpet, honey, pharmaceutical and other potential sectors, Junaid Altaf said.
He added: “KP is gateway to Afghanistan, and onwards to Central Asian Republics, offering immense opportunities in diverse sector”,
Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation between the relevant institutions and to promptly prepare the necessary agreements in priority areas for their subsequent signing and practical implementation,
Junaid Altaf said current trade volume doesn’t reflect real trade potentials of the both brotherly Islamic countries.
He emphasized establishment of business to business contacts, exchange of trade delegation, holding of single country exhibitions, and effectively taking benefits from each other's experience to boost the current bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
Yerzhan Kistafin who was accompanied by the Commercial Counsellor of Kazakhstan Embassy Rafkhat Nurlan stated his country is keen to enhance cooperation with Pakistan and enhanced bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Pakistan have reached new horizons.
He emphasized peace and stability as one of the most crucial things because Afghanistan is the shortest route to carry out trade with Pakistan.
The diplomat said Kazakhstan has managed to establish connectivity via Afghanistan to Pakistan and added regional connectivity corridors will not only connect the East and West directly, but Pakistan will also be connected to the ports of Kazakhstan and transcontinental trade destinations, including the European Union and Central and South Asian states.
He informed that six trade working groups have been formed between Pakistan and Kazakhstan whereas Joint Business Council had been reactivated to enhance collaboration through Federation and regional chambers.
Similarly, he informed alteast six intergovernmental sessions so far conducted whereas 40 bilateral MoUs also signed with various universities of Pakistan.
However, he said there is still very little mutual trade volume between Kazakhstan and Pakistan despite all these afore-mentioned efforts and hoped the proactive interactive session and collaboration with chambers through Pakistan would assist to enhance collaboration in multiple sectors.
The diplomat said concrete steps had been taken to simplify the business visas process and announced the prompt issuance of visas to members on recommendation letter of the SCCI.
In his recommendations, SCCI chief called for establishment a special facilitation desk in Kazakhstan Embassy in Islamabad for KP businessmen, formation of Pak-Kazakh Business Council, appointment of honorary consul in Peshawar, signing of MoU with the chamber.
Junaid Altaf on the occasion lauded efforts and initiatives of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) for promotion of local and regional trade and economic growth and development of the country.
The SCCI chief said the economic outlook is quite promising and we want peace and stability to enhance business and trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian Republic countries.
