ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov on the second day of his four‑day state visit, the first by a Pakistani head of state in 21 years. He called for increased direct flights between the two nations and deeper collaboration across commerce, industry and technology, as Pakistan seeks to bolster its economic ties with Central Asia.
The visit underscores Islamabad’s push to broaden regional connectivity and diversify trade routes through Central Asia. The assai development spans energy, investment and transport sectors. Zardari highlighted the need for frequent flights and a robust exchange of goods, stating that Pakistan is ready to supply Kyrgyzstan with its commodities at favorable terms.
He emphasized a broader industrial partnership, advocating joint research and cross‑sector collaboration, and noted Pakistan’s willingness to support Kyrgyz projects at competitive rates.
Pakistan’s pursuit of closer ties with Central Asian republics includes the CASA‑100
0 electricity transmission initiative, which aims to export surplus summer hydropower from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan. While progress on the project has stalled due to regional instability, it remains a key objective for energy cooperation.
Zardari congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election as a non‑permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027‑28 term, expressing eagerness to cooperate on multilateral initiatives and advance global peace.
