ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP): Chairman Senate, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called on the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Zhaparov, on Thursday and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, bilateral significance and multi-dimensional cooperation.
Speaker of National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Secretary Senate Syed Hasnain Haider, and Advisor to Chairman Senate/ Ambassador to ISC Misbah Khar were also present during the meeting, said a press release.
The Senate Chairman reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening inter-regional cooperation through enhanced inter-parliamentary engagement.
Both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on trade, investment, multi-sectoral collaboration, regional connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. Gilani underscored Pakistan’s resolve to deepen parliamentary cooperation with the Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan through friendship groups, structured institutional dialogue, and exchange programmes.
Extending warm greetings, Chairman Gilani highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan, grounded in shared values, cultural affinity, Islamic heritage, and decades of mutual respect.He highlighted the strong political ties between the two brotherly nations, reinforced through regular high-level exchanges and cooperation on multilateral platforms including the UN, OIC, ECO, and SCO. He noted that mechanisms such as Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) and the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) provide an effective framework for expanding cooperation in areas including trade, connectivity, health, education, energy, tourism, and technology.
Recalling key milestones in bilateral relations, the Chairman Senate referred to the historic visit of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to Kyrgyzstan in 1995, President Asif Ali Zardari’s interaction with Kyrgyz leadership in 2010, and his own official visit to Bishkek in 2011 as Prime Minister, during which important agreements on trade, military training, and the establishment of the Joint Business Council were concluded. He also mentioned his recent meeting with the Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament during the IPU Assembly in Tashkent, which further advanced parliamentary ties.
Gilani appreciated Kyrgyzstan’s constructive role in inter-parliamentary initiatives within ECO and OIC frameworks.
Referring to the successful Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) hosted in Islamabad in November 2025, he expressed satisfaction over the adoption of the Islamabad Communiqué, terming it a significant step towards strengthening global parliamentary diplomacy.
He also thanked the Kyrgyz delegation for their active participation in the ISC, noting that its theme, “Peace, Security and Development”, reflects the pressing challenges faced by the world today. Highlighting the strength of democracy, the Chairman Senate told that despite a suicide blast in Islamabad during the ISC participating delegates stayed here till the conclusion of the conference.On regional connectivity, the Chairman reiterated Pakistan’s strong support for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and CPEC, emphasizing that the ports of Gwadar, Bin Qasim, and Karachi offer strategic access for Kyrgyzstan and other landlocked Central Asian states. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to further operationalize the Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement (QTTA) to facilitate regional trade and transit.
Discussing energy cooperation, he termed the CASA-1000 project a flagship initiative linking Central and South Asia through clean hydropower. He also expressed Pakistan’s desire to deepen cooperation in defence, counter-terrorism, scientific research, and higher education, noting that over 18,000 Pakistani students currently studying in Kyrgyzstan act as an important bridge between the two nations. He highlighted the vast potential for expanding cooperation in tourism, cultural exchanges, direct air connectivity, and simplifying visa procedures, adding that “people-to-people contacts are vital for strengthening bilateral relations.”
Chairman Gilani reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to building a long-term strategic partnership with Kyrgyzstan based on mutual trust, regional stability, and shared aspirations for peace and prosperity.
President Sadyr Zhaparov expressed Kyrgyzstan’s strong desire to expand diplomatic and economic cooperation with Pakistan. He emphasized Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to further strengthening trade and investment ties and called for close coordination between relevant institutions of both countries. He reaffirmed Kyrgyzstan’s support for Pakistan’s position at international forums, expressing confidence in the bright future of Kyrgyzstan–Pakistan relations.
Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq highlighted the importance of enhancing parliamentary, diplomatic, and economic cooperation between the two countries.
