ISLAMABAD (MNN); Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Zhaparov arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday for a two-day maiden state visit, accompanied by a high-level delegation including senior ministers, top officials, and prominent business leaders.
The delegation landed at Nur Khan Airbase, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari welcomed the Kyrgyz president. According to state-run Radio Pakistan, a 21-gun salute was presented in his honour, while children dressed in traditional attire greeted him with a bouquet.
A press release from the Prime Minister’s Office said the visit was arranged on the invitation of PM Shehbaz. It added that the Kyrgyz president’s delegation includes senior cabinet members, business leaders and other key officials.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan enjoy longstanding ties based on shared cultural, historical, and spiritual connections. In recent months, the two countries have stepped up cooperation in emerging sectors. In August, both sides agreed to strengthen collaboration in cryptocurrency, blockchain technology and digital finance. Earlier in July, they reiterated plans to boost bilateral trade to $100 million at their intergovernmental commission meeting.
Beyond bilateral relations, both Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a 10-member Eurasian political and security bloc that also includes China, Russia, India and Iran.
Later, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar held a meeting with Kyrgyz Minister of Foreign Affairs Zheenbek Kulubaev, who is accompanying the Kyrgyz President on his state visit to Pakistan.
During the meeting, the two sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthen and diversify bilateral cooperation in all areas of shared interest.
They also reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on trade, energy, connectivity, education, and people-to-people contacts, as well as enhanced cooperation at multilateral forums.
The two leaders also exchanged views on recent regional and international developments of mutual interest.
