Key Points
• First Pakistani presidential visit to Kyrgyzstan in over two decades.
• President Sadyr Zhaparov received Zardari at Issyk-Kul International Airport.
• Leaders to hold one-on-one and delegation-level talks.
• Discussions cover trade, investment, energy, mining and agriculture.
• Education, tourism, healthcare and digital economy also on agenda.
• Regional and international developments to feature in bilateral discussions.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday arrived in Kyrgyzstan on a four-day official visit, marking the first visit by a Pakistani president to the Central Asian country in more than two decades and signalling renewed momentum in bilateral relations.
President Zardari is visiting the Kyrgyz Republic from July 6 to 9 at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov. He is leading a high-level delegation during the visit, which follows President Zhaparov’s official trip to Pakistan in December 2025.
Upon his arrival at Issyk-Kul International Airport in Cholpon-Ata, President Zardari was warmly received by President Zhaparov. A guard of honour was presented to the Pakistani president, underscoring the significance attached by the Kyrgyz leadership to the visit.
صدرِ مملکت آصف علی زرداری چولپان اتا کے اِسی کال بین الاقوامی ہوائی اڈے پہنچ گئے۔
قرغز صدر سادیر ژاپاروف نے اسیک کول بین الاقوامی ہوائی اڈے پر صدرِ مملکت کا استقبال کیا۔
صدرِ مملکت کو اِسی کال بین الاقوامی ہوائی اڈے پر آمد کے موقع پر گارڈ آف آنر پیش کیا گیا۔
محترمہ بے نظیر… pic.twitter.com/HEXRS6zUi0
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) July 6, 2026
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, President Zardari will hold one-on-one as well as delegation-level talks with President Zhaparov.
The two leaders are expected to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.
Their discussions will focus on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, energy, mining, agriculture, textiles, the halal industry, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, the digital economy, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
During the visit, President Zardari is also scheduled to receive the Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament for a courtesy call.
The visit is being viewed as another important step in the growing high-level engagement between the two countries and is expected to provide fresh impetus to efforts aimed at strengthening economic cooperation, enhancing regional connectivity and deepening political ties.
Historic bilateral ties
The visit is the first by a Pakistani president to the Kyrgyz Republic in 21 years and the first since the historic visit of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to Kyrgyzstan in 1995.
It also follows President Zhaparov’s visit to Pakistan in December 2025, reflecting the upward trajectory of bilateral engagement in recent years.
Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic established diplomatic relations shortly after Kyrgyzstan gained independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Since then, the two countries have maintained cordial and brotherly relations, built on shared cultural and religious affinities, mutual respect and common interests in promoting regional peace, stability and economic development.
Both countries are members of regional organisations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Economic Cooperation Organisation, where they cooperate on issues related to regional security, connectivity and economic integration.
Pakistan considers Kyrgyzstan an important partner in Central Asia under its vision of strengthening links with the region through trade, energy cooperation and transport connectivity.
Both countries have also supported initiatives aimed at enhancing regional integration, including energy and transit projects linking Central and South Asia.
Officials believe President Zardari’s visit will further reinforce the long-standing friendship between Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic while opening new avenues for cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including commerce, investment, education, tourism and emerging digital industries.
