President Zardari arrives in Kyrgyzstan for four day official visit
Published Date: July 5, 2026
Published On: The Express Tribune
MOFA says the trip marks first by Pakistani head of state to Central Asian country in 21 years
Web Desk July 06, 2026 3 min read
President Asif Ali Zardari, welcommed by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov upon his arrival at Issyk-Kul International Airport.PHOTO: PPP media cell X
President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Kyrgyzstan on Monday for a four-day official visit at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) earlier announced that the president would undertake an official visit from July 6 to 9, marking the first visit by a Pakistani head of state to the Central Asian country in 21 years.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov welcomed President Zardari at Issyk-Kul International Airport with a guard of honour presented to him as well.
https://x.com/PresOfPakistan/status/2074143763476492565
He later visited the Rukh Ordo Cultural Centre in Cholpon-Ata, where he was briefed on its significance as an important symbol of the Kyrgyz Republic’s rich cultural heritage, history and traditions.
The two presidents toured different sections of the cultural complex and exchanged views on the importance of preserving cultural heritage and promoting greater understanding among nations through cultural exchanges.
A traditional cultural performance was presented in honour of President Zardari, showcasing the vibrant folk music, dance and artistic traditions of the Kyrgyz Republic.
“President Zardari appreciated the warm hospitality extended to him and lauded the rich cultural heritage of the Kyrgyz people. A banquet was also hosted in honour of President Zardari and his delegation, during which traditional Kyrgyz musical performances dedicated to Pakistan and its people were presented, reflecting the warmth of the host country’s welcome and the enduring friendship between Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic,” the presidency said in a post on X.
https://x.com/PresOfPakistan/status/2074169244686913571
In a post on X, MOFA earlier described the trip as “a historic milestone” in bilateral relations. It added that the president’s trip followed President Japarov’s visit to Pakistan in December last year and reflects “the sustained upward trajectory of high-level engagement between the two brotherly countries.”
Leading a high-level delegation, President Zardari is scheduled to hold one-on-one talks with President Japarov, followed by delegation-level discussions to review “the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations” and exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.
According to MOFA, the talks are expected to focus on “deepening cooperation” across a broad range of sectors, including trade and investment, energy, mining, agriculture, textiles, the halal industry, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, the digital economy, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
During the visit, President Zardari is also due to receive the speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament for a courtesy call.
Saying that Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan enjoy “warm and fraternal relations”, anchored in “shared history, faith, culture and common aspirations for peace, connectivity and prosperity in Central and South Asia”, MOFA noted that President Zardari’s visit reflects the two countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest, building on the momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges.
President Zhaparov visited Pakistan in December 2025, with Islamabad and Bishkek agreeing to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and regional connectivity while reaffirming their commitment to regional peace and stability.
The countries had agreed to increase bilateral trade to $200 million by 2027-28, signing a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding covering commerce, energy, mining, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, culture, customs cooperation, and the use of Pakistani ports to enhance regional connectivity. The nations also reaffirmed their support for the CASA-1000 electricity transmission project and welcomed the operationalisation of the road corridor under the Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement (QTTA).
Further, Pakistani and Kyrgyz leaders also agreed that Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities must honour their commitments to the international community and address Pakistan’s security concerns by taking “concrete and verifiable actions” against militant groups operating from Afghan territory.