Kyrgyzstan President Arrives in Islamabad on Two-Day Maiden Visit

ISLAMABAD: Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Zhaparov arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday for a two-day maiden state visit, marking the first visit by a Kyrgyz head of state to Pakistan in two decades.

President Zhaparov, accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior cabinet ministers, officials and leading business figures, landed at Nur Khan Airbase, where he was received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari.

A 21-gun salute was presented in honour of the visiting dignitary. Children dressed in traditional Pakistani attire welcomed him with bouquets, reflecting the ceremonial warmth extended to the Central Asian leader.

In a post on X, PM Shehbaz termed it a “long-awaited visit” and a significant milestone in Pakistan’s ties with Kyrgyzstan.
“This visit marks a significant moment in our enduring brotherhood,” he said, expressing hope for “meaningful and forward-looking engagement”.

Wide-ranging talks at Foreign Office

Later in the day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held extensive talks with his Kyrgyz counterpart at the Foreign Office. According to the FO, the discussions covered the full spectrum of bilateral relations, with a particular emphasis on:

• Trade and investment

• Energy collaboration

• Regional connectivity

• Education and people-to-people exchanges

• Multilateral cooperation

The two sides also reviewed recent regional and international developments of mutual concern.

Both countries agreed to hold regular sessions of the Pakistan–Kyrgyzstan Bilateral Political Consultations and the Intergovernmental Commission to “unlock the full potential” of their partnership.

Focus on trade, connectivity and CASA-1000

Islamabad and Bishkek expressed satisfaction over the Pakistan–Kyrgyzstan Business Forum held on the sidelines of the visit and reaffirmed their shared commitment to raising annual bilateral trade to $100 million. They also stressed early finalisation of the long-pending Transit Trade Agreement, expected to provide new commercial routes linking the two economies.

Both sides underscored the importance of the long-delayed CASA-1000 energy project, reiterating their vision of “timely and effective implementation” to boost regional electricity trade.

Connectivity remained a key theme of the discussions, with both governments highlighting the need for secure, sustainable and diversified transport corridors between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan to enhance regional commerce through Central and South Asia.

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People-to-people ties

FM Dar thanked the Kyrgyz government for hosting thousands of Pakistani students and workers, acknowledging the strong educational and cultural linkages between the two nations. Both sides agreed to institutionalise cooperation in this area to deepen people-to-people connections.

Broader regional partnership

Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan share longstanding relations rooted in cultural, historical and spiritual ties. Both states are active members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which also includes China, Russia, India and Iran.

The visit is expected to result in enhanced economic, political and security cooperation as both countries seek stronger engagement within the Central Asia–South Asia region.

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