BISHKEK (MNN); Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held important meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, connectivity, trade and economic cooperation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz arrived in Kyrgyzstan on a three-day official visit from August 31 to September 2 at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov.
The SCO summit has brought together leaders from China, Russia, Iran, Türkiye, India and other member states as the regional organisation marks its 25th anniversary.
Meeting with Iranian President
In a warm and cordial meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian, Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed the close and longstanding relationship between Pakistan and Iran.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders agreed on the need to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, building on understandings reached during President Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan earlier this year.
They also reviewed efforts to improve regional connectivity and people-to-people contacts and exchanged views on the evolving regional situation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to sincere efforts for regional peace and said the recent visit of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to Tehran and his constructive engagements were encouraging for regional stability.
The prime minister stressed the importance of restraint and sustained diplomatic engagement to achieve lasting peace and stability.
He also emphasised the need to build upon the understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed between the United States and Iran on June 18, describing it as an important pathway towards durable regional peace.
President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s continued diplomatic efforts for regional peace and security and reaffirmed Iran’s desire to further deepen cooperation with Pakistan in a wide range of sectors.
He said Pakistan-Iran relations were founded on centuries of shared history, culture and faith and stressed the importance of unity among Muslim countries in addressing contemporary challenges.
Prime Minister Shehbaz invited President Pezeshkian to visit Pakistan, while the Iranian president invited the Pakistani premier to attend the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit scheduled to be held in Tehran in December 2026.
The meeting was attended by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials were also present.
Meeting with Uzbek President
Prime Minister Shehbaz also met Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the SCO summit and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral trade, investment, connectivity and economic cooperation.
The prime minister stressed the importance of timely implementation of decisions taken at the leadership level.
He reaffirmed Pakistan and Uzbekistan’s shared goal of increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion by 2029 and called for effective implementation of the expanded Preferential Trade Agreement.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also stressed the need for stronger business-to-business contacts and greater investment in mutually beneficial joint ventures.
Highlighting regional connectivity as a major strategic priority, the premier underlined the importance of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway, which is expected to strengthen links between Central and South Asia and provide Uzbekistan greater access to Pakistan’s seaports.
He called for early progress on the Joint Feasibility Study and greater use of existing multimodal transport corridors.
The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to facilitate Uzbek trade through its ports and transport infrastructure.
The two leaders also discussed expanding cooperation in industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, mining, digital technology, education, culture, defence and security.
Prime Minister Shehbaz supported improved air connectivity between the two countries, including progress towards launching direct Tashkent-Karachi flights.
He appreciated Uzbekistan’s support for Pakistan’s upcoming chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State and expressed Islamabad’s desire to work closely with Tashkent on regional security, connectivity, trade and sustainable development.
The premier reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to transforming the strong political relationship with Uzbekistan into concrete economic benefits for the people of both countries.
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar were also present during the meeting.
Pakistan to Assume SCO Chairmanship
Prime Minister Shehbaz arrived in Bishkek to attend the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and the SCO Plus Summit.
During the visit, Pakistan is set to assume the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026-27, with Islamabad scheduled to host the next SCO summit.
The prime minister is expected to address the SCO meeting and present Pakistan’s position on major regional and global issues.
Pakistan’s delegation includes Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will also join the Pakistani delegation in Bishkek for the SCO meetings.
Dar will accompany Prime Minister Shehbaz in his engagements, including bilateral discussions with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov on September 2.
Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Talks
During his visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz is scheduled to hold detailed talks with President Sadyr Zhaparov to review the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations.
The two leaders will discuss ways to expand cooperation in trade and investment, energy, regional connectivity, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
They will also exchange views on regional and international developments and cooperation at regional and multilateral forums.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan enjoy close and fraternal relations based on shared history, faith, cultural ties and common aspirations for peace, connectivity and prosperity across Central and South Asia.
The visit is expected to provide a fresh opportunity to strengthen practical cooperation and further consolidate the growing partnership between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.
