PM Shehbaz visits Ata-Beyit Memorial in Bishkek

Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to strengthen their economic partnership and expand cooperation in trade,

Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to strengthen their economic partnership and expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy, connectivity, security and other key sectors.

The understanding was reached during talks between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek.

Speaking at a joint press stakeout after the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said both countries would prepare a comprehensive plan to increase bilateral trade gradually to $200 million.

The plan will focus on improving trade mechanisms, encouraging joint investment, strengthening industrial cooperation and increasing direct business-to-business contacts.

Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan welcomed stronger interaction between businesses and financial institutions of the two countries. He said greater private-sector engagement would help translate the shared vision of stronger economic relations into practical results.

Connectivity was identified as another major area of cooperation. The prime minister welcomed the agreement on transit trade and said it would facilitate the movement of goods, improve logistics and create new opportunities for regional connectivity between Central and South Asia.

Energy cooperation also featured prominently in the discussions. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the timely implementation of the CASA-1000 project.

The two countries also welcomed the formation of a joint working group on energy. The group will explore practical cooperation in electricity, hydropower, renewable energy, energy infrastructure and modern technologies.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction over growing cooperation in education, science and technology, healthcare, culture and tourism.

He also welcomed the establishment of sister-city relations between Lahore and Osh, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen people-to-people contacts and local-level cooperation.

Security and defence cooperation were also discussed. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to working together against terrorism, extremism and other emerging security threats.

Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan further agreed to enhance cooperation on environmental protection and climate-related challenges.

Shehbaz Sharif said both countries considered effective multilateral cooperation essential for addressing major global challenges and promoting international peace and stability.

He said Pakistan would continue coordinating with Kyrgyzstan at the United Nations and other international platforms.

The prime minister described Kyrgyzstan as one of Pakistan’s most important and valued partners in Central Asia.

President Sadyr Japarov said stronger friendship and closer cooperation were particularly important at a time of growing international tensions.

He said the joint statement issued after the talks reflected the two countries’ shared vision for further strengthening bilateral relations and identified key areas for future cooperation.

Japarov stressed that economic cooperation should remain one of the central pillars of the partnership. He said both countries had agreed to take systematic measures to increase trade, diversify traded goods and attract investment.

The Kyrgyz president said the two sides were ready to pursue joint projects in sectors including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, energy, light industry, tourism and the digital economy.

He also highlighted emerging areas such as virtual assets and other technology-related fields.

Japarov said Pakistan’s seaports offered Kyrgyzstan an important route to South Asian markets and wider international trade networks. He described connectivity as a major opportunity for expanding commercial links between the two regions.

The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining regular political dialogue and coordinating positions at international forums.

Japarov congratulated Pakistan on assuming the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Earlier, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding covering transit trade, counter-narcotics cooperation, education, academic research, science and technology, environmental protection and climate change.