Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov in Cholpon-Ata on Friday, where the two leaders exchanged views on regional developments and discussed strengthening cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The meeting took place on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which has brought together senior diplomats from across the bloc.
During the meeting, Dar conveyed the greetings of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the Kyrgyz leader. He also expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended by the Kyrgyz government during the ministerial gathering and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation with fellow SCO member states.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the discussions focused on the evolving regional security landscape, multilateral cooperation and the growing role of the SCO as a platform for political, economic and strategic engagement. Dar highlighted the importance of closer coordination among member countries as Pakistan prepares to assume the organisation’s chairmanship for the 2026-27 term.
Pakistan is expected to take over the SCO chairmanship later this year, with Islamabad signalling that its priorities will include strengthening regional connectivity, promoting economic cooperation and encouraging dialogue among member states. Officials have repeatedly described the organisation as an important forum for addressing shared security and development challenges across Eurasia.
The meeting with President Zhaparov formed part of Dar’s broader diplomatic engagements during the SCO ministerial session. Foreign ministers from the organisation’s ten member states are participating in discussions covering regional security, international affairs and preparations for the upcoming SCO summit.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have strengthened bilateral ties in recent months through increased diplomatic exchanges and cooperation in trade, connectivity and regional affairs. Friday’s meeting underscored both countries’ intention to maintain close coordination within the SCO framework as Pakistan prepares to take on a larger leadership role in the organisation.
