BISHKEK: Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations, expand economic cooperation and improve connectivity as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov during his official visit to Bishkek.
The Kyrgyz president described Pakistan as a trusted and important partner, saying relations between the two countries had gained “unprecedented momentum” through a series of high-level exchanges in recent months.
Japarov noted that his state visit to Pakistan in December last year was followed by President Asif Ali Zardari’s official visit to Kyrgyzstan in July this year, while Prime Minister Sharif’s visit marked another significant high-level engagement between the two countries.
He said the frequent contacts demonstrated mutual trust and a shared determination to take Kyrgyz-Pakistani relations to a new level. During their talks, the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues.
They signed a Joint Statement outlining their shared vision and key priorities for the future development of relations. A broader package of bilateral agreements was also signed, covering various areas of cooperation.
Trade, investment and economic cooperation
Japarov said the economy should remain one of the main pillars of the bilateral partnership and announced an agreement to take systematic measures to increase trade, diversify the range of goods exchanged and encourage investment.
The two sides expressed readiness to pursue joint projects in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, energy, light industry, tourism and the digital economy, as well as emerging areas such as virtual assets. The Kyrgyz president said greater economic engagement could provide new opportunities for businesses and investors in both countries.
Transport and connectivity
Transport and logistics featured prominently in the discussions, with both sides highlighting the potential for stronger connectivity between Central and South Asia. Japarov said Pakistan’s seaports could provide Kyrgyzstan with an important route to South Asian markets and wider international trade networks.
At the same time, he said Kyrgyzstan could serve as a transport link for Pakistan to Central Asian markets and the broader Eurasian region. The two countries also agreed to continue cooperation in the energy sector, with particular emphasis on the CASA-1000 project.
The regional electricity initiative is designed to connect the energy resources of Central Asia with growing demand in South Asia. Japarov said Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan had agreed to further strengthen cooperation in this area.
Students and people-to-people links
The Kyrgyz president also highlighted growing people-to-people contacts, particularly the presence of thousands of Pakistani students studying in Kyrgyzstan, many of them enrolled in medical programmes.
He described Pakistani students as an important component of humanitarian ties between the two countries and expressed confidence that they would contribute to stronger bilateral relations in the future.
Japarov said cooperation in science, culture, tourism, youth exchanges and sports would also remain important elements of the partnership. He particularly welcomed Pakistan’s participation in the sixth World Nomad Games, where Islamabad is represented by a large sporting delegation.
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According to the Kyrgyz president, Pakistan’s participation reflected respect for joint efforts to preserve and promote traditional sports and cultural heritage.
Coordination on international platforms
The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining political dialogue and coordination at international organisations. Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan traditionally cooperate through the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and Economic Cooperation Organisation.
Japarov congratulated Pakistan on assuming the rotating chairmanship of the SCO and said Kyrgyzstan was ready to extend its support during Islamabad’s tenure. He said the latest talks had established a strong foundation for expanding bilateral cooperation and building closer ties between the two peoples.
Expressing confidence that the agreements reached during the visit would be implemented consistently, Japarov thanked Prime Minister Sharif for accepting his invitation and for his contribution to strengthening relations between the two countries. He also conveyed his wishes for peace, prosperity and continued development for the people of Pakistan.
