• Multiple MoUs signed during PM Shehbaz’s three-day visit
• Both sides agree to deepen defence, security cooperation, reaffirm CASA-1000 implementation
• Joint projects planned in energy, agriculture, pharma, tourism
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday signed an agreement to raise bilateral trade to $200 million within two years, along with multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) covering defence, education, health, science and technology, agriculture and connectivity.
The agreement was signed in Bishkek before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation wound up a three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan and returned home, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
At the signing ceremony, PM Shehbaz said the two sides had initially signed an MoU on the $200m target, but that he had proposed a binding agreement instead as a more concrete step.
He said he put the idea to Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, who agreed, and the accord was signed at the airport — lifting the goal from current trade of $16m to $200m over the next two years.
Earlier in the day, at a joint briefing with President Zhaparov, the premier said the two countries would work on a comprehensive plan of practical measures to gradually increase trade, improve trade mechanisms, promote joint investment projects, strengthen industrial cooperation and expand direct business-to-business contacts.
Existing trade, he said, was “not a patch on our friendship and our very strong relations”.
Connectivity remained central to the shared vision of closer economic integration between South and Central Asia, he added, welcoming the transit trade agreement that would facilitate trade, improve logistics and create new opportunities for regional connectivity.
Calling energy another important pillar of the partnership, PM Shehbaz said the two sides had reaffirmed the need for timely implementation of the CASA-1000 project and welcomed a new joint working group on electricity, hydropower, renewable energy, energy infrastructure and modern technologies.
He also welcomed the establishment of sister-city ties between Osh and Lahore, two ancient cities whose iconic landmarks reflect a rich history and cultural heritage.
Security and defence cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, with both sides resolving to strengthen cooperation against terrorism, extremism and other contemporary threats.
Pakistan would continue working with Kyrgyzstan at the UN and other multilateral fora, PM Shehbaz said, describing the Kyrgyz Republic as Pakistan’s most important and valued partner in Central Asia. He also invited President Zhaparov to visit Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, the Kyrgyz president said that at a time of rising international tensions, strengthening friendship, deepening mutual understanding and developing cooperation were more important than ever.
The economy should be one of the main pillars of the partnership, he said, with the two countries agreeing to boost trade, expand the range of traded goods and attract investment.
He said they were ready to undertake joint projects in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, energy, light industry, tourism, the digital economy, virtual assets and other fields, and that Pakistan’s seaports offered Kyrgyzstan a natural route to South Asian markets and global trade routes.
Joint statement
The joint statement signed by both leaders recorded a comprehensive exchange of views on the full range of Kyrgyz-Pakistan relations as well as topical regional and international issues, describing the talks as traditionally friendly and cordial and reflecting a high level of political understanding and mutual trust.
They instructed both governments to ensure consistent implementation of agreements reached during high-level visits, enhance the practical effectiveness of the Kyrgyz-Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, and ensure effective interaction among relevant bodies.
The statement also emphasised the Kyrgyz-Pakistan Joint Business Council’s role in developing direct ties between the two business communities, with the leaders agreeing to facilitate its work on trade, investment and industrial projects.
The Joint Working Group on Tourism was instructed to identify specific areas of cooperation, including joint promotion of tourism products, exchange of experience and closer interaction between the two tourism industries. Both leaders reaffirmed their interest in deeper defence cooperation.
MoUs signed
Before the briefing, the leaders witnessed a ceremony at which representatives exchanged pre-signed documents. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who accompanied the premier, said 17 bilateral documents were signed during the visit, including a diplomatic programme of cooperation between the foreign ministries for 2026-27.
Others covered research collaboration, transit trade, science and technological cooperation, extradition, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and combating the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals.
The Kyrgyz health ministry and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council signed an MoU on medical education, and the two education ministries one covering education, climate change and academic research. The remaining documents dealt with the Lahore-Osh sister-city relationship, postal services and e-commerce, bilateral business ties, and cooperation in the security, education, environment and technology sectors.
Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2026
