Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan sign 11 MoUs to boost trade, connectivity

December 05, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic signed 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across key economic sectors during Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov’s first official visit to Pakistan in two decades.

This development represents one of the most significant steps toward expanding bilateral trade, boosting investment flows and enhancing regional connectivity between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The agreements were finalised during the Pakistan Kyrgyzstan Business Forum in Islamabad, where both governments moved to strengthen cooperation in energy corridors, logistics, banking, mining, IT, pharmaceuticals and investment, according to the press release.

President Asif Ali Zardari received President Zhaparov at Aiwan-e-Sadr, where the two leaders held a brief one-on-one meeting before delegation-level talks.

President Zardari said the high-level visit, the first by a Kyrgyz leader in twenty years, would inject fresh momentum into relations shaped by shared faith, common heritage and longstanding political goodwill.

Both leaders reviewed cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity, education and banking. They agreed that current trade levels fall far short of potential and stressed the need to broaden commercial exchanges.

Zardari welcomed the Kyrgyz business delegation’s participation in the Pakistan–Kyrgyzstan Business Forum, calling it a clear indication of growing private-sector interest.

The forum brought together 20 Kyrgyz delegates and 83 Pakistani companies, and facilitated 120 structured B2B meetings. Companies explored partnerships in pharmaceuticals, education, IT, logistics, mining, banking and energy.

Officials said the new MoUs could support long-term projects and create more predictable channels for investment flows.

President Zardari appreciated Kyrgyzstan for completing its segment of the CASA-1000 electricity transmission project. He said Pakistan remains committed to completing its portion, which has reached an advanced stage.

Both Presidents expressed satisfaction with the operational road corridor under the Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement (QTTA), a key route for Pakistan Central Asia transit trade.

Zardari told Zhaparov that Pakistan is ready to provide Kyrgyzstan with the shortest and most economical route to the Arabian Sea.

He called for the expansion of direct flights to strengthen trade, tourism and people-to-people connections.

He thanked Kyrgyzstan for hosting a large number of Pakistani students and workers and noted that Pakistan has placed Kyrgyzstan in its Business Visa List and Visa Prior to Arrival categories. He encouraged reciprocal facilitation for Pakistani travellers.

President Zhaparov informed Zardari that Kyrgyzstan has passed a new law reserving 30% seats for women in its parliament following recent general elections.

He thanked Pakistan for supporting Kyrgyzstan’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council and invited President Zardari to visit Kyrgyzstan.

Earlier at the Business Forum, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan must adopt practical measures to increase trade and investment, noting that economic engagement remains far below its true potential.

He pointed to Pakistan’s deep-sea ports and connectivity links and Kyrgyzstan’s central position in Eurasian transport networks as opportunities to develop efficient trade corridors.

He encouraged Kyrgyz companies to explore Pakistan’s evolving investment landscape and highlighted the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

Presentations were delivered by TDAP CEO Faiz Ahmed and R.A. Sabirov, Director of the Kyrgyz National Investment Agency, outlining investment prospects in both countries. FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh discussed areas suited for joint ventures.

Both Presidents also discussed regional and international developments. President Zardari recalled that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was the first Pakistani Prime Minister to visit Kyrgyzstan in 1995, a visit he had joined.

The Kyrgyz side included Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev; Minister of Science, Higher Education and Innovation Bakhtiyar Orozov; Minister of Energy Taalaibek Ibraev; and Minister of Economy and Commerce Bakyt Sydykov.

It also comprised National Investments Agency Director Ravshanbek Sabirov; Head of the Foreign Policy Department Sagynbek Abdumutalip; Prosecutor General Maksat Asanaliev; and Kyrgyz Ambassador to Pakistan Kylychbek Sultan.

The Pakistani delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar; Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan; Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui; and Energy Minister Sardar Awais Leghari.

Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwala, MNA Raja Pervez Ashraf, former Senate Chairman Nayyar Bukhari, and senior officials from the Foreign Office and National Health Services were also part of the delegation.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan was present as well.

A state banquet was held in honour of the visiting President. It was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman Senate Yousuf Raza Gilani, Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq, federal cabinet members, provincial governors, COAS General Syed Asim Munir, the Air and Naval Chiefs, and members of the diplomatic community.

Toward the end of the evening, President Zardari offered early birthday wishes to President Zhaparov, who turns 57 on December 6. An orchestra played “Happy Birthday” on the violin to mark the moment.

The visit concluded with a reaffirmation of both countries’ commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity, investment, education and people-to-people exchanges, as Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan move to unlock what leaders described as substantial untapped economic potential.

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