ISLAMABAD: It was full steam ahead at the Foreign Office on Monday, as Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a comprehensive preparatory meeting, ahead of a very important upcoming visit of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic to Pakistan.
The News understands from official sources that President Sadyr Nurgojo Japarov is expected to reach Islamabad tomorrow (Wednesday) evening. “The session reviewed progress on all substantive agenda items and assessed the readiness for high-level engagements planned during the visit, while also holding in-depth discussions on the MoUs and agreements to be signed, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation across diverse areas,” said the Foreign Office.
SAPM Tariq Bajwa, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and senior officials from all relevant ministries and departments attended the meeting, reaffirming inter-ministerial coordination and Pakistan’s commitment to a successful and meaningful visit.
Earlier in July this year, both countries held the 5th session of their Inter-Governmental Commission (ICG) in Islamabad reaffirming their commitment to enhance trade and cooperation.
The Kyrgyz deputy chairman of the cabinet of ministers heading the delegation in July had also met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the meeting to strengthen collaboration across various sectors.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan share diplomatic relations dating back to 1992, with strong ties in areas like trade, education and security, marked by recent agreements to increase bilateral trade volume up to $100 million.
Both nations are members of international organisations like the UN and OIC, and have established institutions for cooperation, including a bilateral political consultation and an inter-governmental commission.
Recent high-level meetings have reinforced collaboration in sectors such as energy, investment and connectivity. Meanwhile, Canadian High Commissioner Tariq Ali Khan on Monday, thanked Ishaq Dar for Pakistan’s support in facilitating import of Canadian canola into Pakistan and noted the progress of work by Barrick Gold on the Reko Diq project and willingness of other Canadian companies to invest in Pakistan.
The high commissioner was holding his first official meeting with the foreign minister at the Foreign Office, after being accredited to Pakistan. “Appreciating the positive trajectory of Pak-Canada relations and ongoing high-level engagement, the DPM/FM emphasised further strengthening economic, trade, investment, agricultural and people-to-people cooperation while acknowledging the important role of Pakistani diaspora in promoting bilateral ties,” noted the Foreign Office.
