BISHKEK: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Bishkek on Monday for a three-day official visit to Kyrgyzstan, where he is set to participate in key meetings of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
The prime minister was received upon arrival by Kyrgyzstan’s Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev.
During his visit, PM Shehbaz Sharif will attend the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State as well as the SCO Plus Summit. Pakistan is also set to assume the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for the next year.
On the sidelines of the SCO meetings, the prime minister held a meeting with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek. The two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest and regional developments.
PM Shehbaz is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with leaders participating in the SCO summit to strengthen Pakistan’s diplomatic and economic ties with regional partners.
The prime minister will hold detailed discussions with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov on the full spectrum of Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the two sides will review bilateral cooperation and explore opportunities to further strengthen ties, particularly in trade and investment, energy, regional connectivity, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
The visit comes as Pakistan seeks to expand economic and regional connectivity with Central Asian states and deepen cooperation through multilateral platforms such as the SCO.
PM Shehbaz Sharif will also attend the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games, being held in Bishkek.
Pakistan’s upcoming chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State is expected to provide Islamabad with an opportunity to play a greater role in advancing regional cooperation and addressing shared economic, security and connectivity challenges.
The prime minister’s participation in the SCO summit reflects Pakistan’s continued engagement with regional powers and its efforts to strengthen political, economic and strategic partnerships across the region.
