Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed a strong resolve to raise bilateral trade between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan to $200 million within the next two years. Speaking at a joint press conference with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov in Bishkek, the premier noted that current trade stands at only around $16 million, which does not match the deep friendship and brotherhood between the two nations.
He called for greater engagement and said both sides agreed to expand cooperation in education, science and technology, culture, and private sector trade. The transit trade agreement was described as a welcome step that will further boost commercial ties. Declaring Lahore and the Kyrgyz city of Osh as twin cities will also strengthen cultural connections.
PM Shehbaz confirmed that Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan will work together against terrorism and extremism while jointly addressing climate change challenges. He thanked the Kyrgyz leadership for excellent hospitality, congratulated the country on its Independence Day, its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and its successful hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
Earlier, the prime minister received a guard of honour upon arriving at the presidential palace. Multiple agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed in the presence of both leaders. These covered a treaty on extradition, a diplomatic programme of cooperation between the foreign ministries for 2026-2027, and research collaboration between strategic institutes.
Other key documents included agreements on transit trade, science and technology cooperation, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and an MoU between interior ministries to combat illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs. Additional MoUs focused on medical education, general education, environment and climate change, academic research between defence universities, and cooperation in virtual assets and blockchain technologies.
The two sides also established a sister city relationship between Lahore and Osh, signed a postal services and e-commerce agreement, and formalised business cooperation between their chambers of commerce. A joint statement summarised the outcomes of the three-day visit.
These steps mark a clear push to turn strong political relations into practical economic and security gains for both countries.
