Pakistan offers Kyrgyzstan access to ports as both countries seek to deepen ties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Thursday that Pakistan is prepared to open its major ports to landlocked Kyrgyzstan, offering the Central Asian state direct access to regional and international markets. The proposal came after talks in Islamabad with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, who is visiting Pakistan for the first time, marking the first trip by a Kyrgyz head of state in two decades.

Speaking at a joint press briefing, the prime minister said Pakistan could facilitate Kyrgyz trade through the ports of Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar, describing the offer as part of a broader conversation on strengthening bilateral and regional connectivity. “Pakistan stands ready to provide the Kyrgyz Republic access to global markets,” he said, calling the meeting “fruitful” and focused on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues.

Sharif said both sides agreed to elevate cooperation across politics, commerce, energy, agriculture, education, defence and culture. A Pakistan-Kyrgyz business forum is being held later today, which he expects to generate commitments worth around $200 million. He described the forum as a turning point, noting that annual trade between the two countries had fallen sharply, from $11.2 million in 2022–23 to just over $5 million in 2024–25. The prime minister pledged to increase bilateral trade to $200 million within two years.

Welcoming Zhaparov “to his second home,” Sharif said it was unacceptable that a Kyrgyz president had not visited Pakistan for 20 years, and expressed hope that the current visit would “inject fresh energy” into the relationship. He highlighted the historical connections between the two nations, recalling centuries-old links forged through trade routes, cultural exchanges and shared religious traditions.

Both leaders also discussed expanding people-to-people exchanges, including cultural events, tourism promotion, and university-level partnerships. Sharif said Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan would host cultural festivals in their respective capitals to deepen public-level engagement.

Earlier in the day, a formal welcome ceremony for Zhaparov was held at the Prime Minister House, where he was received by Sharif and presented with a guard of honour. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir were also part of the meeting.

MULTIPLE MOUS SIGNED, FM MEETS DELEGATION

The two countries signed 15 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering cooperation in commerce, energy, health and other areas aimed at strengthening institutional ties. Sharif and Zhaparov also signed a joint statement committing to broader “comprehensive cooperation.”

The prime minister said the agreements would provide a structured platform for long-term collaboration, enabling more predictable and results-oriented engagement between Islamabad and Bishkek.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also met the Kyrgyz president earlier in the day. According to the Foreign Office, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s intent to deepen relations at the highest political level and conveyed greetings from President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Shehbaz. He also briefed Zhaparov on upcoming meetings with Pakistani leadership and business communities aimed at expanding economic cooperation.

Dar had similarly met Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev a day earlier, holding discussions on trade, investment and technological partnerships. The two nations recently agreed to enhance collaboration in digital finance, cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies. In July, they reaffirmed a joint target to raise bilateral trade to $100 million, under the framework of their intergovernmental commission.

Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan also work together in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a 10-member regional bloc that includes China, Russia, India and Iran. Leaders from both countries say the SCO provides an important platform for regional security, economic connectivity and political consultation.