Pakistan |
Kyrgyzstan |
Kyrgyzstan–Pakistan relations are the relations between Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan. Relations between the two countries were established on 20 December 1991 shortly after Kyrgyzstan became independent from the Soviet Union. Diplomatic relations were formally established on 10 May 1992.[1]
Pakistan extended diplomatic recognition to the Kyrgyz Republic on December 20, 1991. A Protocol for the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan was signed on May 10, 1992. Pakistan's diplomatic resident Mission at Ambassadorial level was established at Bishkek in August 1995.
There have been high level visits from both sides in last ten years. In December 2000, the Chief Executive of Pakistan extended an invitation to Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev to pay a State visit to Pakistan. The invitation was accepted by the President of Kyrgyzstan.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan co-operate with each other in various fields for the promotion of trade and economic relations between the two countries. A few Pakistan nationals have established their business concerns in the fields of hoteling, pharmacy and tourism in Kyrgyz Republic.
During the visit of Minister of State for Economic Affairs in December 1991, an export credit of US$ 10 million was offered to Kyrgyzstan for the establishment of pharmaceutical factory at Bishkek. An agreement was signed in May 1993. On the request of Kyrgyzstan, keeping in view of friendly and brotherly relations with Kyrgyzstan, the Government of Pakistan rescheduled the loan repayment and prolonged its payment for the next six years. An agreement on rescheduling was signed accordingly.
One of the achievements in the economic co-operation between the two countries is the opening of the branch of the National Bank of Pakistan at Bishkek. The main aim of the bank is to boost the trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan took a decision to issue the license for the branch of the National Bank of Pakistan to open the accounts for local individuals from January 1, 2002. Before, the National Bank of Pakistan was authorized to open the accounts for the companies and organizations only. Within one year after the opening, this branch has become the profit-earning unit. After some time, the bank would be able to extend small credit facility to the local population. The National Bank of Pakistan has also offered a regular training programme for the Kyrgyz Bankers.
Pakistan is extending all possible help for Kyrgyz nationals under the Technical Assistance programme in the field of education, diplomacy, banking, English language and postal services, etc.
More than 200 Pakistani students are enrolled at various educational institutions in Kyrgyzstan on self-finance basis. Some of the medical students have already completed their studies and returned to Pakistan.
The leadership of the Kyrgyz Republic has demonstrated keen interest to have more bilateral cultural cooperation and people to people contact by establishing sister city relationship with the cities of Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan. Establishment of sister city relationships between Quetta-Bishkek and Osh-Sialkot are under consideration by the two sides.
Both the countries have expressed their desire to conclude a Cultural Agreement with the aim of developing relations and mutual understanding between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. A draft Cultural Agreement is under consideration.
A draft Agreement between Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and "Kabar" news agency of Kyrgyzstan is also under consideration.
The Government of Pakistan has agreed to present a printing press to be used for production of literawre solely for Islamic purposes to the Muftiat of Kyrgyzstan.
Being the members of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan support each other on various global and regional issues as well as during the elections to the key posts in the international organizations.
Kyrgyzs have historically, travelled to the region of Pakistan as technocrats, bureaucrats, soldiers, traders, scientists, architects, teachers, theologians and Sufis during the Islamic Sultanates and Mughal Empire and settled permanently. There are many shrines doted throughout Pakistan in honour of noted Kyrgyz noblemen. Many Pakistanis claim Kyrgyz ancestry.
Recently during the Kyrgyzstan crisis, certain miscreants abducted 15 Pakistanis mostly students and one Pakistani student Ali Raza was killed by a straying bullet. The government of Pakistan extended full support. In a rapidly worsening law and order in the Central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan, a Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft would leave Monday carryind aid and humanitarian supplieson a rescue mission in the ethnic riots plagued country after two of the Pakistani hostage students were killed. Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Monday confirmed that a Pakistani air force plane would fly the Pakistani students back home from Kyrgyzstan. He also said so far 40 of the 247 trapped students were brought to safety. However, the timeframe was not disclosed by the official sources. Pakistani embassy in Bishkek is collecting all the students to a safer place, said Abdul Basit, spokesman of Pakistani Foreign Office, adding that the foreign office is in constant touch with Kyrgyz authorities. Media reported that the students have been moved to an airport for an onward journey to Pakistan, including three female students from Pakistan. Ali Raza, a final year electronic engineering student from eastern Punjab province and a female final year medical student from southern Sindh province were killed on Sunday, as a gang of fiercely armed extremist had taken dozens of Pakistani student hostage. The foreign minister said that some 1,500 Pakistani citizens lived in Kyrgyzstan. On the question of seeking Russian help, former Pakistani foreign secretary Najamuddin Sheikh told media that Russia so far has said that it would extend any assistance after consulting other Central Asian states. "A rescue through an aircraft is still not out of danger, as I see the situation is going from bad to worst," Sheikh said. [2]
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