Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend key SCO meetings, meet regional leaders and take charge of Pakistan’s SCO chairmanship for 2026–27.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will depart for the Kyrgyz Republic today for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s regional engagement and participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
The prime minister will remain in Kyrgyzstan until September 2, 2026, following an invitation from Kyrgyz President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov. During the visit, he will participate in the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and engage with leaders of participating countries.
A key highlight of the PM Shehbaz Kyrgyzstan visit will be Pakistan assuming the Chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for the 2026–27 term. The development will provide Islamabad with an opportunity to shape discussions on regional cooperation and promote its economic and connectivity priorities.
Prime Minister Shehbaz will also participate in the SCO Plus Summit, where leaders are expected to discuss regional cooperation and matters of mutual interest. He will use the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with several participating leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
The prime minister is also scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games being held in Kyrgyzstan today, adding a cultural dimension to his official engagements.
A high-level Pakistani delegation will accompany Prime Minister Shehbaz during the visit. 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 are part of the delegation.
On September 2, Prime Minister Shehbaz will hold detailed bilateral discussions with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov. The talks will cover the overall relationship between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan, with particular attention to trade, investment, energy, regional connectivity, education and tourism.
The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and international developments and explore greater coordination at regional and multilateral forums.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan maintain close relations based on historical, cultural and religious links, while both countries share interests in promoting peace, connectivity and economic development across Central and South Asia.
The visit is expected to build on recent high-level exchanges between the two countries and convert existing political goodwill into stronger economic and practical cooperation.