Shehbaz Leaves for Kyrgyzstan as Pakistan Takes SCO Chair
News Desk
Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to leave for Kyrgyzstan on Monday for a three-day official visit, as Pakistan prepares to assume the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State for 2026-27.
The August 31-September 2 visit is expected to focus on Pakistan’s growing engagement with Central Asia, with trade, investment, energy and regional connectivity high on the agenda.
Shehbaz Sharif is visiting Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov. During the visit, he will participate in the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and the SCO Plus Summit, besides holding bilateral meetings with leaders attending the gatherings.
The prime minister will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar and senior government officials.
Central Asia on Pakistan’s agenda
The visit comes as Islamabad seeks to strengthen economic and transport links with Central Asian countries and improve connectivity between South and Central Asia.
During his meeting with President Zhaparov on September 2, Shehbaz Sharif will hold discussions on the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations.
The talks are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, energy, regional connectivity, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
The two leaders will also discuss regional and international developments of mutual interest and explore ways to enhance cooperation through regional and multilateral forums.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan maintain close relations based on historical, cultural and religious ties, with both sides expressing interest in expanding economic and regional cooperation.
Pakistan prepares to lead SCO
One of the most significant aspects of the visit will be Pakistan’s assumption of the SCO Council of Heads of State chairmanship for 2026-27.
Shehbaz Sharif will participate in the SCO leaders’ meeting and the SCO Plus Summit, providing Pakistan with an opportunity to contribute to the organisation’s agenda during its upcoming chairmanship.
The SCO serves as a major regional platform for cooperation in areas including security, economic development, trade and connectivity, bringing together several key countries from Asia and beyond.
Shehbaz to attend World Nomad Games
The prime minister will also attend the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan on Monday.
The government has described the visit as an opportunity to build on recent high-level exchanges between the two countries and translate existing political goodwill into greater economic and practical cooperation.
The prime minister is scheduled to conclude his engagements and return to Pakistan on September 2. Input from APP.
