Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday that Pakistan intends to push Pakistan Kyrgyzstan trade up to $200 million within the next two years, urging both nations to deepen their economic and diplomatic ties.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov at the presidential palace in Bishkek, Shehbaz noted that current trade volumes stand at roughly $16 million, a figure he said falls well short of the strong friendship shared by the two countries.
Focus on Trade, Education and Technology
The prime minister said talks between the two sides centered heavily on expanding commercial ties, with both governments agreeing on the $200 million annual trade target. He added that Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan would work to connect their private sectors more closely to help drive that growth.
Beyond trade, Shehbaz said the two countries had also agreed to broaden cooperation in education, science, technology, and cultural exchange. He welcomed the newly finalized transit trade agreement between the two nations, calling it a positive step for Pakistan Kyrgyzstan bilateral trade.
As part of efforts to strengthen cultural links, the two sides agreed to designate Lahore and the Kyrgyz city of Osh as sister cities. Shehbaz said the move would help build stronger people-to-people connections alongside the economic partnership.
Cooperation on Security and Climate
The prime minister said Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan would also collaborate on counterterrorism efforts and tackling climate change. He thanked President Japarov for the hospitality shown during his visit and extended congratulations to Kyrgyzstan on its Independence Day celebrations.
Shehbaz also congratulated Kyrgyzstan on securing a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and commended the country’s leadership for successfully hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. After their meeting concluded, President Japarov personally drove the prime minister to the airport for his departure. Earlier in the visit, Shehbaz had been welcomed at the presidential palace with a formal guard of honour.
Multiple Agreements Signed Between the Two Nations
Ahead of the press briefing, senior officials from both countries signed a series of agreements spanning trade, security, education, environmental policy, and technology. Shehbaz and Japarov oversaw the exchange of these pre-signed documents, along with a joint statement summarizing the outcomes of the prime minister’s three-day trip.
Among the agreements was a diplomatic Programme of Cooperation between the two foreign ministries covering 2026 to 2027. The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad also signed a research partnership with Kyrgyzstan’s National Institute for Strategic Initiatives.
Both sides completed a transit trade agreement to simplify cross-border commercial movement, along with a science and technology cooperation pact and an extradition treaty. Officials additionally drafted a mutual legal assistance agreement covering criminal matters between the two countries.
The interior ministries of Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed an accord aimed at curbing illicit trafficking of narcotics, psychotropic substances, and precursor chemicals. In the health sector, Kyrgyzstan’s health ministry and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council agreed to cooperate on medical education, while the two education ministries signed a separate agreement to boost academic collaboration.
On environmental matters, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision partnered with Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination to strengthen joint climate initiatives. The National Defence University of Pakistan also signed a research and academic cooperation agreement with Kyrgyzstan’s National Institute for Strategic Initiatives.
In a notable move toward emerging technology, Kyrgyzstan’s National Agency for Virtual Assets and Blockchain Technologies signed an MoU with the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. The two governments also formalized the Lahore-Osh sister city agreement during the visit.
Additional accords included a postal and e-commerce cooperation deal between Kyrgyz Post and Pakistan Post, as well as a business partnership agreement between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kyrgyzstan and the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
