Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was accorded a formal welcome at Kyrgyzstan’s presidential palace on Wednesday before holding talks with President Sadyr Zhaparov and overseeing the signing of several agreements between the two countries.
President Zhaparov received the prime minister at Yntymak Ordo, or the Palace of Unity, where the national anthems of Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan were played as the two leaders stood at the salute dais.
A contingent of the Kyrgyz armed forces presented a guard of honour, which Shehbaz subsequently reviewed, according to the Government of Pakistan.
The two leaders introduced members of their respective delegations before proceeding to talks covering bilateral relations and regional developments.
Following the discussions, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed multiple memorandums of understanding, after which Shehbaz and Zhaparov addressed a joint press briefing.
The prime minister thanked the Kyrgyz president, government and people for the warm reception extended to him during his visit.
Shehbaz is in Bishkek to participate in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Council of Heads of State, bringing together leaders from across the regional bloc.
His talks with Zhaparov form part of Pakistan’s broader diplomatic engagements on the sidelines of the SCO gathering, with the two countries seeking to strengthen bilateral cooperation alongside discussions on regional issues.