PM Shehbaz heads to Kyrgyzstan for key SCO summit

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will leave for Kyrgyzstan today for a three-day official visit focused on the Shanghai

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will leave for Kyrgyzstan today for a three-day official visit focused on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and strengthening bilateral ties with the Central Asian country.

The prime minister will stay in Kyrgyzstan from August 31 to September 2 on the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov. He will attend the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek along with other regional and international leaders.

A high-level Pakistani delegation will accompany the premier. It includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar.

During the visit, Shehbaz Sharif will participate in the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and the SCO Plus Summit. Pakistan will also formally take over the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for the 2026-27 term.

The prime minister is expected to hold separate meetings with leaders attending the summit. These discussions will focus on regional cooperation, economic relations and issues of mutual interest.

Shehbaz Sharif will also attend the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games in Bishkek on August 31.

A major part of his visit will involve discussions with the Kyrgyz leadership. On September 2, he is scheduled to meet President Sadyr Zhaparov to review the full range of Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations.

The two sides are expected to discuss ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy, regional connectivity, education and tourism. People-to-people contacts will also feature in the talks.

Regional and international developments are also expected to come under discussion. Both countries will exchange views on cooperation through regional and multilateral forums.

Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have maintained close relations based on historical, cultural and religious links. Islamabad views stronger ties with Bishkek as important for improving trade routes and connectivity with Central Asia.

The SCO summit is particularly significant as the organisation marks its 25th anniversary. Ten countries are currently full members of the bloc, including Pakistan, China, Russia, India, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status in the organisation.

Pakistan’s assumption of the SCO Council of Heads of State chairmanship will give Islamabad a central role in setting the organisation’s agenda for the coming year. The next SCO heads of state summit is also scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad.