Pakistan signalled a major shift in regional connectivity on Tuesday as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced Islamabad’s readiness to grant Kyrgyzstan access to global and regional markets through Pakistani seaports. The offer, made during high-level bilateral discussions, reflects Islamabad’s growing emphasis on economic diplomacy and regional trade corridors.
The prime minister said that Pakistan’s ports, including Karachi and Gwadar, could serve as critical gateways for Kyrgyz exports, enabling the Central Asian nation to tap into major commercial routes across the Middle East, Africa and beyond. He emphasised that stronger trade linkages would benefit both countries by reducing transit costs, improving logistical efficiency and opening new avenues for investment.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed enhanced cooperation in energy, transportation and digital connectivity. PM Shehbaz highlighted Pakistan’s strategic location and improving infrastructure as assets that could support a broader regional trade network under various multilateral initiatives.
Kyrgyz officials welcomed the proposal, expressing interest in deepening economic ties and expanding collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, mining, textiles and education. Both governments reiterated their commitment to strengthening ties through institutional mechanisms already in place.
The discussions also touched on security, counterterrorism cooperation and the shared goal of maintaining stability across the wider region. According to officials, follow-up dialogues will be held to finalise the modalities of market access and port utilisation.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.