PM Shehbaz arrives in Bishkek for SCO summit

BISHKEK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Kyrgyzstan on Monday for a three-day official visit focused on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and strengthening Pakistan’s bilateral ties with Kyrgyzstan.

The prime minister reached Manas International Airport in Bishkek, where he was received by Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Kasymaliev.

Shehbaz Sharif is visiting Kyrgyzstan from August 31 to September 2 at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov.

The prime minister will participate in the SCO-related proceedings during his stay. He is also scheduled to address the summit and outline Pakistan’s position on key regional and international issues.

A major part of the visit will be Pakistan’s assumption of the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for the 2026-27 term.

The prime minister is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and Information Minister Ataullah Tarar. Senior government officials are also part of the delegation.

During the SCO engagements, Shehbaz Sharif is expected to hold meetings with leaders of participating countries. The discussions will focus on bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments.

The prime minister will also attend the SCO Plus Summit. The forum provides an opportunity for participating countries to discuss wider regional cooperation and shared challenges.

As part of his official engagements, Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games in Bishkek on August 31.

On September 2, the prime minister will hold formal talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov.

The two leaders are expected to review the full range of Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations and explore avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation.

Trade and investment will be among the key areas discussed during the meeting. The two sides are also expected to focus on energy, regional connectivity, education and tourism.

People-to-people contacts are another important area of cooperation between the two countries.

The leaders will exchange views on regional and international developments and discuss cooperation through regional and multilateral forums.

Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan maintain close relations based on historical, cultural and religious links. Both countries have also expressed interest in improving connectivity and expanding economic cooperation between South and Central Asia.

The prime minister’s visit is expected to build on recent high-level contacts between the two countries.

The government has described the visit as an opportunity to convert existing political goodwill into practical cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and other areas.

The visit also comes at a time when Pakistan is seeking to strengthen its engagement with Central Asian states and expand economic and regional connectivity.