PM Shehbaz Sharif receives guard of honour in Bishkek

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a warm welcome at the Presidential Palace in Bishkek on Wednesday during his official visit to Kyrgyzstan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a warm welcome at the Presidential Palace in Bishkek on Wednesday during his official visit to Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov received Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace. A formal reception ceremony was held in the prime minister’s honour.

The prime minister was presented with a guard of honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Kyrgyz armed forces. The national anthems of Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan were also played during the ceremony.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Sadyr Japarov inspected the guard of honour. The ceremony reflected the cordial relations between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.

President Japarov later introduced members of the Kyrgyz delegation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The prime minister also introduced members of the Pakistani delegation to the Kyrgyz president.

The visit is taking place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is leading Pakistan’s delegation at the summit.

The SCO meeting provides an opportunity for member states to discuss regional cooperation, economic ties, security and other issues of mutual interest.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also signed the SCO summit declaration. The declaration reflects the participating countries’ commitment to strengthening cooperation through the regional organisation.

Pakistan is scheduled to assume the presidency of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026-27. Islamabad is expected to use the presidency to promote greater regional cooperation and strengthen engagement with other SCO member states.