PM Shehbaz Pledges to Raise Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Trade to $200m

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said Pakistan wants to increase bilateral trade with Kyrgyzstan to $200 million a year within the next two years and called for stronger economic engagement between the two countries.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov at the Kyrgyz presidential palace in Bishkek, PM Shehbaz said, “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 Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan had agreed to strengthen cooperation in education, science and technology, and culture.

“During the bilateral talks, focus was placed on promoting trade relations,” he said, adding that both countries aimed to raise annual bilateral trade to $200 million.

He said Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan would also support stronger trade links between their private sectors.

PM Shehbaz welcomed the transit trade agreement between the two countries and said declaring Lahore and Osh as twin cities would help strengthen cultural ties.

He added that Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan would cooperate in fighting terrorism and extremism and work together to address climate change.

The prime minister thanked the Kyrgyz president for his “excellent hospitality” and congratulated the leadership and people of Kyrgyzstan on Independence Day.

He also congratulated Kyrgyzstan on becoming a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and praised its leadership for successfully hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

After their bilateral meeting, President Japarov personally drove PM Shehbaz to the airport to see him off.

Earlier, PM Shehbaz was warmly received at the presidential palace, where he was given a guard of honour.

Multiple MoUs signed

Before the joint press conference, officials from Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed several agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to expand cooperation in trade, security, education, environment, technology and other sectors.

PM Shehbaz and President Zhaparov witnessed the signing ceremony as representatives from both sides exchanged the documents.

The two leaders also signed a joint statement covering the key discussions and objectives of PM Shehbaz’s three-day visit.

Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed a diplomatic Programme of Cooperation between their foreign ministries for 2026-2027. An MoU was also signed between the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and the National Institute for Strategic Initiatives of the Kyrgyz Republic to strengthen research cooperation.

The two countries finalised agreements on transit trade, science and technology cooperation, and extradition.

They also prepared a draft agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

The interior ministries of Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed an MoU to cooperate against the illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals.

The Kyrgyz health ministry and Pakistan Medical and Dental Council signed an MoU to promote cooperation in medical education. Another MoU between the education ministries of the two countries will support greater cooperation in education.

The Kyrgyz Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision and Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination signed an MoU to strengthen cooperation on the environment and climate change.

The National Defence University Pakistan and the National Institute for Strategic Initiatives of the Kyrgyz Republic signed an MoU for academic research and joint activities.

An MoU was also signed between the National Agency for Virtual Assets and Blockchain Technologies under the Kyrgyz president and the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority to promote cooperation in virtual assets.

Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan also signed an agreement to establish a sister city relationship between Lahore and Osh.

OJSC Kyrgyz Post and Pakistan Post signed an agreement to cooperate in postal services and e-commerce.

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 and trade ties between the two countries.