Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to commence a three-day official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic from Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at the invitation of President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting, according to the Foreign Office.
“The visit will include participation in the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting, as well as bilateral engagements in the Kyrgyz Republic,” read the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and other senior officials would accompany the prime minister during the trip.
“During his stay in Bishkek, the prime minister will participate in the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State and the SCO Plus Summit,” it said. “The prime minister will also assume Pakistan’s chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026-2027,” it said, adding he would also hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of the participating countries on the sidelines of the summit.
Additionally, P.M. Sharif would participate in the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games on Aug. 31, while he would hold bilateral discussions with the Kyrgyz president on Sept. 2.
“The two sides will comprehensively review Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations and discuss ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, energy, regional connectivity, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges,” it said. “The leaders will also exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest and cooperation at regional and multilateral fora,” it added.
“Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan enjoy warm and fraternal relations, rooted in shared history, faith and cultural affinity, as well as common aspirations for peace, connectivity and prosperity in Central and South Asia,” read the Foreign Office statement. “The forthcoming visit will provide an important opportunity to consolidate the momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges, translate political goodwill into enhanced practical cooperation, and further strengthen the enduring partnership between Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic,” it added.
The Bishkek summit marks 25 years of the SCO, which comprises the 10 member states of India, Iran, China, Pakistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as two observer states Afghanistan and Mongolia. Islamabad would host the SCO’s Council of Heads of State summit in 2027.