BISHKEK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday set a target of increasing annual bilateral trade between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan to $200 million within two years, saying the existing trade volume of around $16 million does not reflect the strength of relations between the two countries.
Addressing a joint press conference with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov at the Kyrgyz presidential palace, the prime minister called for greater economic engagement and stronger cooperation between the private sectors of both countries.
“During the bilateral talks, focus was placed on promoting trade relations,” Shehbaz said, adding that Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan would work to expand commercial ties and increase bilateral trade.
The two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation in education, science and technology, culture, counterterrorism and climate change.
Shehbaz welcomed the transit trade agreement between the two countries, saying improved connectivity would facilitate commercial activity. He also said the decision to establish a sister-city relationship between Lahore and Osh would further strengthen people-to-people and cultural ties.
What agreements did Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan sign?
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed a series of agreements and memoranda of understanding covering trade, transit, security, education, health, climate change, technology and research.
The two sides signed a treaty on extradition and finalised arrangements for transit trade. They also agreed to develop cooperation in science and technology and prepared a framework for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
Their interior ministries signed an MoU to cooperate against the illicit trafficking of narcotics, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals.
Additional agreements covered cooperation in medical education, general education, environmental protection and climate change. The National Defence University of Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan’s National Institute for Strategic Initiatives also agreed to cooperate in academic research.
An MoU was signed between Pakistan’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and Kyrgyzstan’s National Agency for Virtual Assets and Blockchain Technologies to promote cooperation in the virtual-assets sector.
How will the partnership expand economic and people-to-people ties?
The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation between their chambers of commerce, while Pakistan Post and Kyrgyz Post signed an agreement covering postal services and e-commerce.
A diplomatic programme of cooperation for 2026–27 was also signed between the foreign ministries of the two countries. The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and Kyrgyzstan’s National Institute for Strategic Initiatives agreed to enhance research collaboration.
The leaders also signed a joint statement outlining the outcomes and objectives of Shehbaz Sharif’s three-day visit.
The prime minister congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its Independence Day and its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, while praising Bishkek for hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
Shehbaz said Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan would continue working together to address terrorism and extremism while strengthening economic, educational and cultural links.