Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan agree to pursue strategic partnership

July 07, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have taken a significant step toward strengthening bilateral ties, agreeing to elevate their relationship into a strategic partnership with a renewed focus on trade, investment, energy, connectivity, and regional cooperation during President Asif Ali Zardari's four-day official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic.

President Asif Ali Zardari, who arrived in Kyrgyzstan on a four-day visit, was received by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov at Issyk-Kul International Airport with a guard of honour.

The visit marked the first by a Pakistani president to the Kyrgyz Republic since the historic visit of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 1995.

During one-on-one and delegation-level talks in Cholpon-Ata, the two presidents reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, mining, agriculture, textiles, the halal industry, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, the digital economy, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their aspiration to establish a strategic partnership and stressed the importance of expanding economic and investment cooperation.

The two leaders pledged full support for enhancing direct engagement between the business communities of both countries, including chambers of commerce, investment promotion agencies, banking institutions, and the private sector.

They also encouraged the implementation of joint investment projects and the establishment of joint ventures.

Recognizing the growing importance of regional energy cooperation, the presidents reaffirmed their commitment to the effective implementation of the CASA-1000 project, describing it as a key initiative for strengthening regional energy integration.

Transport and regional connectivity also featured prominently in the discussions.

The two leaders underscored the strategic importance of improving transport links between Central and South Asia and agreed to accelerate cooperation in logistics, transit, and multimodal transport.

They reiterated their commitment to utilizing Pakistan's seaports to facilitate Central Asian trade while promoting international transport corridors connecting Central and South Asia.

They also emphasized the need to increase cargo volumes and create favorable conditions for the sustainable operation of regional transport and logistics routes.

Beyond economic cooperation, both presidents reaffirmed their shared interest in expanding collaboration in education, science, culture, tourism, youth exchanges, and public health, including cooperation in medical education and professional regulatory frameworks.

On regional security, the two leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and reaffirmed that peace and stability remain essential for economic development and regional prosperity.

They agreed to strengthen cooperation at international forums, including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to combat terrorism.

The Kyrgyz Republic also appreciated Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to promote peace in the Middle East and welcomed the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, expressing hope that it would contribute to lasting regional stability.

The two sides further emphasized the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter, stressing that a secure and stable regional environment is essential to unlock the vast trade and connectivity potential between Central and South Asia.

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