Kazakstan Remains Wary of Pakistan as Trading Partner
Russian

24-Apr-07


Kazakstan remains reluctant to boost commercial ties with Pakistan because of concerns over instability in the region, and China and India look like much better bets as trading partners.

A meeting of the Kazakstan-Pakistan ministerial commission in Astana on April 18-20 discussed opportunities for cooperation on trade, science, new technologies and energy. Pakistani officials called for direct flights between Kazakstan and Islamabad and relaxed visa regulations for Pakistani businessmen.

NBCentralAsia commentators say that after years of talks, geopolitical issues still stand in the way of any significant breakthroughs in the areas of trade, professional exchanges, or the proposal that Pakistan could become a transit route for supplying Kazak hydrocarbons to South Asia.

According to NBCentralAsia analyst Yaroslav Razumov, “Astana is reluctant to strengthen relations with Islamabad in view of the problematic political situation in the region - Pakistan’s involvement in the Afghan conflict, its confrontation with India, and its difficult relationship with Iran.”

Increased economic cooperation could force Kazakstan into the difficult position of having to make political choices about other people’s conflicts, and Razumov argues that for reasons of pragmatism, Astana prefers to remain at arm’s length.

Pakistan’s offer to provide a southward transit route for Central Asian oil and gas is also unrealistic, given that Afghanistan, which lies between it and Central Asia, remains unstable.

Political scientist Dosym Satpaev, director of the Risk Assessment Group, says trade between the two countries is inhibited by the high political and economic risks that Kazakstan businesses face in Pakistan.

Satpaev also argues that Kazakstan does not have a clear policy on dealing with countries which do not match its own economic development model.

“Pakistan is a country for which Kazakstan has no clearly-defined strategy. Kazakstan chooses its partners according to its energy [export] priorities, or for the modern technologies they can offer it. Pakistan is of little interest in either regard, whereas India is of far greater interest in terms of developing innovative technology,” he said.

China, too, is a serious competitor as a trade and energy partner. Razumov said, “China is most active in securing future deliveries of oil and gas supplies from Kazakstan and other Central Asian states, and it is has no interest in seeing branch pipelines go to Pakistan,” Razumov added. “Beijing and Islamabads are competitors in this area.”

(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)

http://www.iwpr.net/?p=bkz&s=b&o=3...;apc_state=henh

Well back to the drawing board, something is wrong in Pakistan and Kazakhstan just gave a list. IMO some people in our government are simply not doing their job on the negotiation table, or we need to rethink our entire strategy on Afghanistan. Pakistani economic investment and initiative in Afghanistan could help IMO.

Jees, what a poison that was ready to spill out or it seems. Its kind of hypocritical and seems to be in line with the dictat that came from Russia perhaps. On one hand they want to expand trade with India yet they also want to ignore Pakistan.

I think its the Kazakh self proclaimed lifetime president and his pro soviet policies that don't want to open up to the rest of the Muslim world. They don't even have good relations with the other republics in Central Asia.

I have heard rumors about Kazakstan that these people prefer visits by christian missionary then muslim imams. Even the majority of Kazakstan are muslims 53 % if not wrong.

I dont know why these poeples dont want contact with other muslim countries. I dont think they are dictated by Russia. Even Russia wants to improve its ties with muslim world. So its stupid to ignore ties with muslim countries. I think these peoples will again become good muslims like peoples from other central asian countries. The kazah population of Kazakshtan will never be accepted as fellow countrymen by ethnic russians. Its alot of racism in Russia. As a norwegian-pakistani, born an raised in Europe i have learned that man can never forget his roots. I am pak muslim, born here, my son is pak muslim, 3 generation born here etc etc

to hell with Kazakhstan. They are nobodies.

Well back to the drawing board, something is wrong in Pakistan and Kazakhstan just gave a list. IMO some people in our government are simply not doing their job on the negotiation table, or we need to rethink our entire strategy on Afghanistan. Pakistani economic investment and initiative in Afghanistan could help IMO.

Don't worry once such news start coming in the main newspapers than the President Secretariat take's up the matter and our best Salesman does the bridging act ..

Wait another 3 to 6 months and you will see damage repair at it's best. Inshallah.

I dont understand, it says Kazakstan is reluctant to do business with Pakistan because of instability. By that theory half of the world trade should be lost. What has instability go to do with trade.


More trade bring stability so whats the problem.

Anyway is Kazakstan still under communism or are they free now?

Well money business works different, if you can prove that you don't need money, they would wanna give you the money, try to go to a bank and request a credit. same applies :)

nobodies with oil = somebodies...

i do understand that it makes sense for them to trade with china, having a safe land route there. but maybe if afghanistan stabilizes, trade could be facilitated.

Ohh come on.

I feel that there is a trend like, if any country, people, or organization that is just a bit (or more) worried over Pakistan they are nobodies and a bunch of losers.

If they think that Pakistan is not good enough, secure enough etc. Then lets prove them wrong instead!

But are they wrong? Isn't the region closest from Pak to Kazakh unstable? With local warlords/ militias going around and doing crazy stuff? I don't know, therefore I am asking

If Kazakhstan wants more Christian emissionaries than Imams, well then it's their choice, as muslims we could send more imams to them and just hope they'ill receive them well. More ties could be tied, not militarly but also civilian.


With peace!

as far as my atlas tells me, the only road from kazakhstan to pakistan passes through a non-country used to be called 'afghanistan' under the so-called leadership of "mayor of kabul". winning this nickname by being able to control not much more than kabul. the problem is not pakistan - the problem is afghanistan. someone need to get the act straight and return some semblence of order there. i can understand kazakh worries - they're deadbeat poor, they can't afford to secure a pipe or land transport through afghanistan.

Remember Borat!!!!

Well there is a trade route that was established not too long ago between Pakistan, China and Kyrgyztan to enhance Pakistan's trade with the Centrial Asian states, so there is another alternative. But Kazakh's reasons sounds more like an excuse and unwillingness to trade than anything else.

But that's fine, its their choice. Pakistan's trade with Cnetral Asians is increasing every year through China and Kazakhs will ultimately join in.

What is our Pakistani Embassy doing in Kazakhistan, should n't they be promoting Pakistan to Kazakhs,
better they should hire Aunty Shamim, she might do a better job

Guys who really cares if they don't want to trade. Remember it is their loss as they won't be able to access markets like india freely just because not trading with Pakistan means Pakistan showing them a middle finger!

WTF? How is Shamim involved in this? The Mullahs/burqa terrorists and the press destroyed her life and that of her daughter by false allegations. I don't know how anyone can feel pride in this.

Kazakhistan is as big as Iran,has VAST natural resources.The problem is the 53% of Russian migrants who forced themselves onto the nomadic Kazaks(47%).Those poor ppl became a minority in their own country.Its basically Russia dictating terms.If the Kazaks had their way,they wud atleast be neutral.

That doesnt mean foreign investor dont have legit reservations abt doing biz with Pk.

As far as Islam is concerned,a know quite a few former Soviet muslims,nearly 80 yrs of AGGRESSIVE anti-islamic and govt control on religion policy has taken its toll.it will take time for them to realize what their faith is.Add the Russian media which also gives a bad image of Islam(chechneya) and u have a muslim population living in denial and self hatred.

It was sarcasm, that means a Madam(if she is) is capable of making contacts and connection better than the Embassy of Pakistan in Kazakhstan, Hope you understood other wise let me know I will try to explain in simpler terms