SCO Summit begins in Bishkek; PM Shehbaz holds sideline meetings

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting has officially commenced in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, bringing together leaders from member nations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's official visit to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, is scheduled from August 31 to September 2, 2026. His delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, and Minister for Communication Abdul Aleem Khan. During the visit, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to participate in the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games on August 31 and hold bilateral discussions with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov on September 2.

In their discussion, both leaders stressed the need for restraint and sustained diplomatic engagement to promote lasting peace and stability in the region. Prime Minister Sharif stated that Pakistan would continue its sincere efforts for regional peace-building.

The prime minister also highlighted the importance of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the US and Iran on June 18, describing it as the “only viable pathway towards enduring peace in the region.” He noted that the recent visit of Chief of Defence Forces and Field Marshal Asim Munir to Tehran had been constructive.

For his part, President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts and called for greater unity among Muslim countries. The two leaders extended mutual invitations for official visits, with President Pezeshkian inviting the prime minister to the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit in Tehran in December 2026.

The meeting was also attended by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Speaking after his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described Iran and Pakistan as "brotherly countries".

Following his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke to the media, according to available reports.

On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian gained added significance as it followed an earlier interaction between the Iranian leader and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Upon his arrival for the three-day visit, Prime Minister Sharif was formally received by Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet Chairman, Adylbek Kasymaliev. The SCO summit has brought together numerous regional leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on August 31. According to available reports, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on August 31 for a three-day official visit. According to available reports, he received a red carpet welcome upon his arrival.