Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday for a two-day inaugural state visit.
The Kyrgyz president and his high-level delegation, comprising senior cabinet ministers, senior officials and prominent business leaders, landed at Nur Khan Air Base, where they were received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari.
administered by the state Radio Pakistan reported that 21 salutes were presented in honor of the visiting dignitary while children, dressed in traditional costumes, offered him a bouquet.
Prime Minister Shehbaz later said in a post on X that the visit was the first by a Kyrgyz president in 20 years.
“This long-awaited visit marks a significant moment in our enduring brotherhood.
“I look forward to a meaningful and forward-thinking engagement. Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic are poised for a bright future together.”
A press release issued earlier by the Prime Minister’s Office said that the invitation for the visit was extended to the president of Kyrgyzstan by Prime Minister Shehbaz.
On the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar, welcomed his Kyrgyz counterpart at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The FO said the two reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on trade, energy, connectivity, education and people-to-people contacts, as well as greater cooperation in multilateral forums.
“They also exchanged views on recent regional and international developments of mutual interest.
“Both sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthen and diversify bilateral cooperation in all areas of shared interest.”
He later said that both sides agreed to hold regular meetings of Pakistan-Kyrgyz Bilateral Political Consultations and Bilateral Intergovernmental Commission to “unlock the full potential” of their bilateral relationship.
“Both leaders agreed to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and welcomed the convening of a business forum on the sidelines of the visit. The two leaders also hoped that the early completion of the Transit Trade Agreement would help achieve the bilateral trade target of $100 million.
“Both sides reiterated their shared vision for timely and effective implementation of the CASA-1000 project. They also highlighted the importance of safe, sustainable and diversified connectivity routes between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan to further enhance bilateral and regional trade.”
Foreign Minister Dar thanked the government and people of the Kyrgyz Republic for being “kind hosts” to Pakistani students and workers and agreed to take steps to institutionalize and enhance people-to-people cooperation.
Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic share long-standing relations, based on deep-rooted cultural, historical and spiritual affinities.
The two countries agreed to promote bilateral cooperation in cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology and digital finance in August.
In July, they reaffirmed an agreement to increase bilateral trade to $100 million at a session of their intergovernmental commission.
In addition to bilateral relations, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organizationa 10-nation Eurasian political and security group whose other members include China, Russia, India and Iran.
