PM Shehbaz Sharif Begins Three-Day Visit to Kyrgyzstan for SCO Summit
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in the Kyrgyz Republic on Monday for a three-day official visit from August 31 to September 2, at the invitation of President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov. The visit is centered on regional diplomacy, economic cooperation, and Pakistan's upcoming leadership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
According to the Prime Minister's Office, Shehbaz will address the SCO summit and present Pakistan's stance on various regional and global issues. He is also scheduled to participate in the SCO Plus Summit and will assume Pakistan's chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026-2027, as stated by the Foreign Office.
The prime minister was welcomed upon arrival at Manas International Airport by Adylbek Kasymaliev, chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, according to the government's official social media account.
Shehbaz is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and senior government officials.
During his stay in Bishkek, the prime minister will participate in the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games on August 31. He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with leaders attending the SCO meetings to discuss regional developments and areas of mutual interest.
On September 2, Shehbaz will hold bilateral discussions with President Zhaparov covering the "entire spectrum of Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations," according to the Foreign Office. The two sides will comprehensively review bilateral ties and discuss deepening cooperation in trade and investment, energy, regional connectivity, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
Pakistan's yearlong SCO chairmanship is seen as an opportunity to promote cooperation among member states, particularly in trade, connectivity, economic development, and regional stability.
Around a dozen world leaders are expected to head to Bishkek to mark 25 years of the SCO. The organization comprises 10 member states: India, Iran, China, Pakistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan and Mongolia are observer states. Islamabad is set to host next year's SCO Council of Heads of State summit.
The Foreign Office noted that Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan enjoy close relations based on shared history, faith, and cultural ties.