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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have signed multiple protocols and memorandums of understanding to deepen their economic and technical cooperation and take the bilateral trade volume to $100 million, Pakistan’s Press Information Department said on Monday.

The statement came after the 5th session of the Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation in Islamabad. The meeting marked a significant advancement in the bilateral relationship between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, reflecting a shared commitment to expand cooperation in diverse sectors of mutual interest.

Both sides held in-depth discussions at the session, co-chaired by Pakistan’s Energy Minister Awais Leghari and Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers’ deputy chairman Edil Baisalov, and reviewed progress made since their last meeting, with a renewed focus on strengthening economic and technical collaboration.

During the talks, Leghari said the Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan bilateral trade volume had declined from $11.2 million in 2022-23 to $5.18 million in 2024-25, stressing the need to revitalize trade engagement between the two countries.

“The two sides reaffirmed their resolve to boost bilateral trade, setting a target to raise trade volume to USD 100 million,” the PID said in a statement.

“They agreed to work on diversification of exports and imports, revive the Pakistan-Kyrgyz Joint Business Council, and organize business forums, trade fairs, and B2B (business-to-business) exchanges.”

The development comes at a time when Pakistan, faced with an economic slowdown, is trying to leverage its strategic geopolitical position to enhance its role as a pivotal trade and transit hub connecting landlocked Central Asia with the rest of the world, with a flurry of visits, investment talks and economic activity taking place between officials from Pakistan and the Central Asian nations in recent months.

Both sides signed a number of MoUs to deepen their cooperation in key sectors. An agreement was signed between the Kyrgyz National Investments Agency and the Board of Investment of Pakistan to foster investment cooperation, while another MoU, signed between the Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA) and Kyrgyzstan’s Center for Development of Halal Industry, focused on Halal trade cooperation, according to the PID.

In the energy and environment domain, the Kyrgyz side proposed joint participation in a power transmission line project connecting Kyrgyzstan, China and northern Pakistan. Both countries agreed to explore electricity imports, collaboration in renewable energy, mining, hydrocarbons, and technical partnerships between institutions like the Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan and the Kyrgyz State Technical University.

“Discussions also focused on enhancing regional connectivity through logistics and transportation. Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in postal services, cargo and rail transport, and civil aviation,” the PID said.

“Both countries underscored the importance of strengthening financial cooperation. The central banks of both countries agreed to collaborate on the development of Islamic banking and financial instruments, including training programs through Pakistan’s National Institute of Banking and Finance.”

The discussions also featured education and scientific collaboration.

“The parties agreed to promote joint training programs, academic exchanges, and institutional linkages,” the PID said.

“Pakistan reiterated its support to Kyrgyz students under the Pakistan Technical Assistance Program (PTAP). Both sides also agreed to explore labor cooperation and establish a Joint Working Group to discuss its modalities.”

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty on Monday held a meeting in New York, where they agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defense, trade and other key sectors, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of a high-level United Nations (UN) summit on Palestine, which is being co-chaired by ����ֱ�� and France on July 28-29.

Appreciating the continued collaboration at multilateral fora, FM Abdelatty congratulated Pakistan on assuming the Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of July.

“The two leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing broad-based cooperation across various sectors, including medical, minerals, defense, trade, and investment,” the Pakistan foreign ministry said.

“They agreed on the need to strengthen connectivity between Pakistan and Egypt to promote economic integration and facilitate greater trade. Both sides also agreed to undertake high-level exchanges in the near future.”

Pakistan and Egypt have cordial ties and both countries have resolved in recent years to facilitate businessmen with visas, exchange trade-related information and promote private-sector contacts.

During Monday’s meeting, the two foreign ministers reiterated their unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their just cause, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.

“The two ministers underscored the urgent need for unimpaired humanitarian access, an immediate cessation of Israeli hostilities, and expressed hope for a meaningful and constructive outcome of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution,” it added.

The UN conference is being held at a time of worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and France’s historic decision to formally recognize Palestine as a state.

The summit takes place a day after Israel declared a “tactical pause” in fighting in parts of Gaza, where more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, saying it would allow the UN and aid agencies to open secure land routes to tackle a deepening hunger crisis.

Analysts say France’s move could tip the balance internationally. Already, 147 of 193 UN member states — nearly 75 percent — recognize Palestine, including nearly all of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. France would be the first G7 country to join that group, with the official declaration to be made at the UN General Assembly in September.