Islamabad, September 2, 2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov have agreed to intensify bilateral economic engagement and raise trade between the two countries to $200 million annually within the next two years.
Addressing a joint press conference with President Japarov at the Kyrgyz Presidential Palace in Bishkek on Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the current bilateral trade volume of around $16 million did not reflect the strength of relations between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.
“Our present day bilateral trade hovers around $16 million which is not a patch on our friendship, our brotherhood and our very strong relations,” the prime minister said.
He said the two countries had agreed to focus on expanding trade relations, particularly by facilitating greater interaction between their private sectors and creating new opportunities for businesses in both countries.
“During the bilateral talks, focus was placed on promoting trade relations,” Shehbaz said, adding that Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan wanted to increase bilateral trade to $200 million per annum.
The prime minister also welcomed the transit trade agreement between the two countries, saying improved connectivity and commercial links could provide fresh momentum to bilateral economic relations.
Cooperation expanded across key sectors
The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in education, science and technology, culture, security and other areas of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan would also work together to combat terrorism and extremism and cooperate in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
He welcomed the decision to establish a sister-city relationship between Lahore and Osh, saying the initiative would help promote cultural exchanges and strengthen people-to-people ties.
The prime minister thanked President Japarov for his hospitality and congratulated the leadership and people of Kyrgyzstan on the country’s Independence Day.
He also congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and praised the country’s leadership for successfully hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Following their bilateral meeting, President Japarov personally drove Prime Minister Shehbaz to the airport to see him off, underscoring the warmth attached to the bilateral relationship.
Earlier, the prime minister was warmly received at the Presidential Palace, where he was accorded a guard of honour.
Wide-ranging agreements signed
The joint press conference followed a ceremony at which senior officials from Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan exchanged multiple agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at expanding cooperation in trade, security, education, health, environment and technology.
The two leaders also signed a joint statement reflecting the outcome and objectives of Prime Minister Shehbaz’s three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan.
The two sides signed a Diplomatic Programme of Cooperation between their foreign ministries for 2026-2027 and an MoU between the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and the National Institute for Strategic Initiatives of the Kyrgyz Republic to promote research cooperation.
Agreements on transit trade were also finalised to facilitate commercial movement between the two countries, alongside an agreement to enhance cooperation in science and technology.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan also signed a treaty on extradition, while the two governments formulated a draft agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
An MoU between the interior ministries of the two countries will facilitate cooperation against the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals.
Education, health and climate cooperation strengthened
Cooperation in the health and education sectors was also expanded through separate agreements.
The Kyrgyz Ministry of Health and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council signed an MoU on cooperation in medical education, while the education ministries of the two countries signed another MoU to strengthen bilateral cooperation in education.
An MoU between Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision and Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination will promote cooperation in environmental protection and climate change.
The National Defence University Pakistan and the National Institute for Strategic Initiatives of the Kyrgyz Republic also agreed to cooperate in academic research and related activities.
New focus on digital economy and business links
The two countries also moved to establish cooperation in emerging digital sectors.
The National Agency for Virtual Assets and Blockchain Technologies under the President of Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority signed an MoU covering cooperation in virtual assets.
An agreement establishing a sister-city relationship between Lahore and Osh was also signed to promote cultural and municipal cooperation.
In the postal and e-commerce sector, OJSC Kyrgyz Post and Pakistan Post concluded a bilateral agreement aimed at developing mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry also signed an agreement to strengthen business-to-business cooperation and promote bilateral commercial ties.
The agreements signed during the visit are expected to provide an institutional framework for expanding Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations beyond traditional political engagement and towards stronger trade, investment, connectivity, technological cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
