Bishkek: Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to transition their long standing political relations into a result oriented economic partnership, setting a firm target to increase annual bilateral trade to 200 million USD over the next two years. The announcement was made during an official ceremony at the Kyrgyz Presidential Palace in Bishkek, where Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov following a formal guard of honour.
Speaking at a joint press conference alongside President Japarov, PM Shehbaz described the current bilateral trade volume as hovering around 16 million USD, not a patch on the strong diplomatic ties and brotherhood shared by the two countries. He emphasised that transitioning from the current 16 million dollars to 200 million USD per annum within two years is achievable through direct action. To reach this benchmark, both leaders outlined a comprehensive roadmap focusing on expanded transit trade, simplified customs procedures, joint industrial investment, and direct business to business cooperation.
Before the joint press briefing, representatives from Islamabad and Bishkek formalised several bilateral accords covering security, trade, energy, environmental coordination, and technology. A formal extradition treaty was signed alongside a draft agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. To facilitate commercial cargo, a transit trade agreement was finalised alongside commitments to implement the Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement and progress the CASA 1000 energy initiative.
The two governments also strengthened institutional ties across security and social sectors. An accord between the respective interior ministries was established to combat illicit drug trafficking, precursor chemicals, and psychotropic substances, reinforcing a joint resolve to counter terrorism and extremism. Further agreements were struck between education ministries, while the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council partnered with the Kyrgyz Health Ministry to regulate medical education standards.
Technological, cultural, and regional administrative ties were further expanded during the visit. An agreement was reached between the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and the Kyrgyz National Agency for Virtual Assets and Blockchain Technologies to foster digital cooperation. Additionally, an official agreement established a sister city relationship between Lahore and the historic Kyrgyz city of Osh.
The bilateral summit coincided with Pakistan’s active participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Heads of State engagements hosted by Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek. PMr Shehbaz congratulated President Japarov on Kyrgyzstan’s successful chairing of the summit, its hosting of the 6th World Nomad Games, and its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2027 2028. With Pakistan assuming the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Heads of State for 2026 2027, the agreements in Bishkek mark a significant step toward expanding Pakistan's trade footprints across Central Asia.
