BISHKEK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have resolved to increase bilateral trade from the existing $16 million to $200 million annually within the next two years, stressing the need for greater economic and commercial engagement between the two countries.
Addressing a joint press conference with Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov at the Kyrgyz presidential palace, the prime minister said the current trade volume did not reflect the strength of relations between the two brotherly countries.
“Our present day bilateral trade hovers around $16 million which is not a patch on our friendship, our brotherhood and our very strong relations,” Shehbaz said.
He said the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in education, science and technology and culture, with particular focus on expanding trade and economic ties.
The prime minister said Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan would facilitate greater interaction between their private sectors to help achieve the $200 million annual trade target.
Transit trade agreement welcomed
PM Shehbaz described the transit trade agreement between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan as a welcome development, saying it would help facilitate commercial connectivity and strengthen economic relations.
He said the decision to establish a sister-city relationship between Lahore and Osh would also contribute to stronger cultural and people-to-people ties.
The two countries, he added, would cooperate in combating terrorism and extremism and work together to address the challenges posed by climate change.
Shehbaz thanked President Japarov for his hospitality and congratulated the leadership and people of Kyrgyzstan on Independence Day.
He also congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and praised its leadership for successfully hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
Following the meeting, President Japarov personally drove PM Shehbaz to the airport to see him off.
Earlier, the prime minister was warmly received at the presidential palace, where he was accorded a guard of honour.
Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan sign multiple agreements
Before the joint press conference, senior officials from Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed multiple agreements and memorandums of understanding aimed at expanding cooperation in trade, security, education, environment, technology and other sectors.
PM Shehbaz and President Japarov witnessed the signing ceremony, where representatives of the two countries exchanged the documents.
The two leaders also signed a joint statement covering the discussions and objectives of the prime minister’s three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed a diplomatic Programme of Cooperation between their foreign ministries for 2026-27.
An MoU was also signed between the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and the National Institute for Strategic Initiatives of the Kyrgyz Republic to promote research collaboration.
The two countries finalised agreements on transit trade and science and technological cooperation, besides signing a treaty on extradition.
The governments also formulated a draft agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
Cooperation in security, education and health
An MoU was signed between the interior ministries of Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan to combat illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals.
The Kyrgyz health ministry and Pakistan Medical and Dental Council signed an MoU to enhance cooperation in medical education.
Another MoU between the education ministries of the two countries seeks to promote cooperation in education.
The Kyrgyz Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision and Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination signed an MoU to strengthen cooperation on environment and climate change.
The National Defence University Pakistan and the National Institute for Strategic Initiatives of the Kyrgyz Republic also signed an MoU covering academic research and cooperative activities.
Cooperation in technology and commerce
An MoU was signed between the National Agency for Virtual Assets and Blockchain Technologies under the Kyrgyz president and the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority to promote cooperation in virtual assets.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan also signed an agreement establishing a sister-city relationship between Lahore and Osh.
OJSC Kyrgyz Post and Pakistan Post signed a bilateral agreement for cooperation in postal services and e-commerce.
In addition, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry signed an agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral business ties.
The agreements are expected to provide a broader institutional framework for expanding economic, commercial, educational, technological and people-to-people relations between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.
