Bishkek,Kyrgyzstan(National Times)- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Kyrgyzstan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting on Monday, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
PM Shehbaz arrived in Bishkek earlier today on a three-day official visit from Aug 31 to Sep 2, at the invitation of President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov to attend the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting.
The leaders of China, Iran, Turkiye, Russia, and India were in Kyrgyzstan for the two-day SCO summit. The regional bloc, which also includes Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
On the sidelines of the summit, PM Shehbaz and Pezeshkian held a “warm and cordial” meeting, during which they reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between both countries, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
They emphasised the need to further strengthen bilateral relations across all areas of mutual cooperation, in line with decisions taken during the visit of President Pezeshkian to Pakistan in June this year.
The leaders reviewed ongoing efforts aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and people-to-people contacts, as well as exchanged views on the evolving regional situation.
While reaffirming that Pakistan would continue its sincere efforts for regional peacebuilding, PM Shehbaz said that the recent visit of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir to Tehran and his “constructive engagements augured well”, the PMO noted.
The premier stressed the importance of restraint and sustained diplomatic engagement to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.
He also underscored the need to build on the understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the United States and Iran on June 18.
PM Shehbaz noted the MoU “offered the only viable pathway towards enduring peace in the region”.
On his part, President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s “consistent diplomatic efforts for regional peace and security”, according to PMO.
He also underscored the enduring strength of Pakistan-Iran relations, rooted in centuries of shared history, culture, and faith and reaffirmed Tehran’s strong desire to further deepen cooperation across a wide range of sectors.
The president reiterated the need to forge unity among the Muslim community to deal with contemporary challenges.
PM Shehbaz extended an invitation to President Pezeshkian to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience.
The Iranian president also invited the prime minister to the forthcoming summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) in Tehran in December 2026.
The meeting was attended by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch, PMO said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other high officials were also present.
Shehbaz meets Uzbek president
In a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed the importance of timely implementation of decisions taken at the leadership level, particularly in trade, investment, connectivity and economic cooperation, the PMO said.
According to the PMO, the meeting between the two leaders took place on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Communications Minister Aleem Khan and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar were also present.
“The prime minister stressed the importance of timely implementation of decisions taken at the leadership level, particularly in trade, investment, connectivity and economic cooperation,” it said.
PM Shehbaz reiterated the shared objective of increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion by 2029 and called for effective implementation of the expanded Preferential Trade Agreement, greater business-to-business engagement and promotion of mutually beneficial joint ventures, the PMO added.
While highlighting regional connectivity as a shared strategic priority, the prime minister underscored the transformative potential of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway in linking Central and South Asia and facilitating Uzbekistan’s access to Pakistan’s seaports.
“He emphasised early progress on the Joint Feasibility Study and greater utilisation of existing multimodal transport corridors,” the PMO said, adding that “the prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to facilitate Uzbek trade through its ports and transport infrastructure.”
During the meeting, the two sides discussed further strengthening cooperation in industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, mining, digital technologies, education, culture, defence and security.
“The prime minister also supported enhanced air connectivity, including progress towards direct Tashkent-Karachi flights.”
The prime minister appreciated Uzbekistan’s support for Pakistan’s forthcoming chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State and expressed the desire to work closely with Uzbekistan on regional security, connectivity, trade and sustainable development, the PMO stated.
“PM Shehbaz also emphasised continued cooperation within ECO and other multilateral forums.”
“The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its strategic partnership with Uzbekistan and translating the excellent political relationship into tangible economic benefits for the peoples of both countries,” the PMO concluded.
PM arrives in Kyrgyzstan
Adylbek Kasymaliev, chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, welcomed PM Shehbaz upon his arrival at Manas International Airport, the government’s official account on social media platform X stated.
Announcing the premier’s departure, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said he would address the SCO summit and “present Pakistan’s stance on various regional and global issues”.
It added that Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister of Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar were accompanying PM Shehbaz.
During the visit, Pakistan is set to assume the chairmanship of the SCO’s Council of Heads of State for 2026–27, with next year’s CHS summit to be hosted by Islamabad.
Earlier in the day, the Foreign Office had issued a statement on PM Shehbaz’s visit, saying that it would include participation in the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting, as well as bilateral engagements in the Kyrgyz Republic.
“During his stay in Bishkek, the prime minister will participate in the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State and the SCO Plus Summit,” the statement said.
“The prime minister will also assume Pakistan’s chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026-2027,” it said, adding that he would also hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of the participating countries on the sidelines.
PM Shehbaz will also participate in the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games on Aug 31, the statement said.
It added that on Sept 2, the prime minister would hold bilateral discussions with the Kyrgyz president on the “entire spectrum of Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations”.
“The two sides will comprehensively review Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations and discuss ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, energy, regional connectivity, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges,” it said.
“The leaders will also exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest and cooperation at regional and multilateral fora,” it added.
“Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan enjoy warm and fraternal relations, rooted in shared history, faith and cultural affinity, as well as common aspirations for peace, connectivity and prosperity in Central and South Asia,” the FO said.
“The forthcoming visit will provide an important opportunity to consolidate the momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges, translate political goodwill into enhanced practical cooperation, and further strengthen the enduring partnership between Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic,” the statement concluded.
Deputy PM Ishaq Dar will join the Pakistani delegation in Bishkek for the SCO Council of Heads of State Meeting and the SCO Plus Summit, FO said in a separate update.
Dar will accompany PM Shehbaz during his engagements in Bishkek, including bilateral discussions with President Sadyr Zhaparov on 2 September on Pakistan–Kyrgyzstan relations and ways to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
