Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will begin a three-day official visit to Kyrgyzstan today to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and hold bilateral meetings.
The visit will continue until September 2 and comes at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov.
Pakistan to Assume SCO Chairmanship
PM Shehbaz will participate in the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and the SCO Plus Summit during his visit.
Pakistan is also set to assume the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026–27.
The prime minister is expected to highlight Pakistan’s priorities within the regional organisation and discuss cooperation on economic development, connectivity, security and regional stability.
He will also hold meetings with leaders of other participating countries on the sidelines of the summit.
PM Shehbaz to Attend World Nomad Games
During his visit, the prime minister will attend the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games, which are being held in Kyrgyzstan.
He will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar.
Senior government officials will also be part of the delegation.
Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan to Discuss Trade and Investment
On September 2, PM Shehbaz will hold detailed talks with President Sadyr Zhaparov.
The two leaders will review the full range of Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations and explore ways to expand bilateral cooperation.
Trade and investment will be among the key areas of discussion. The two sides are also expected to focus on energy, regional connectivity, education and tourism.
People-to-people exchanges will also feature in the talks.
The leaders will exchange views on regional and international developments and discuss cooperation at regional and multilateral forums.
Focus on Stronger Regional Partnership
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan maintain close relations based on historical, cultural and religious ties.
Both countries have also expressed interest in stronger regional connectivity and economic cooperation between Central and South Asia.
The visit is expected to build on recent high-level contacts between the two countries and convert political ties into greater practical cooperation.
PM Shehbaz’s participation in the SCO summit will also provide Pakistan with an opportunity to strengthen engagement with Central Asian states and advance its regional economic and connectivity interests.
