Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan urge Taliban to act against Terror

KARACHI: Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan on Thursday reaffirmed their joint commitment to regional peace and stability, urging the Afghan Taliban to honor their international obligations and address Pakistan’s security concerns through concrete and verifiable action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov Nurgozhoevich led delegation-level talks at the Prime Minister House, where both sides discussed bilateral ties, regional developments, and rising security challenges. The leaders emphasized that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is essential for long-term regional prosperity.
The talks also covered the ongoing crisis in Gaza, with both nations reiterating their steadfast support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Pakistan highlighted its “Vision Central Asia” policy and underscored the importance of deepening ties with the Kyrgyz Republic. Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity, and cultural exchanges. A target of USD 200 million bilateral trade by 2027-28 was set, backed by renewed commitment to the effective implementation of existing agreements.
Energy connectivity remained a key priority, with both leaders reiterating support for the timely completion of the CASA-1000 project. They also expressed satisfaction over the functioning of the Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan road corridor under the Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement (QTTA), noting its significance for regional trade routes.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of 15 MoUs covering energy, mining, agriculture, culture, tourism, education, and law. President Zhaparov was earlier given a guard of honor on arrival, followed by an official luncheon and a joint press conference.
Both Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan agreed that peaceful dialogue, not conflict, remains the only path to resolving regional disputes-an approach they pledged to uphold together.