By Iftikhar Mashwani
ISLAMABAD : Kyrgyz Republic celebrated its 32nd Independence Day on Augst 31,2023. On this occasion Ambassador of Kyrgyz Republic in Pakistan Mr Ulanbek Totuiaev hosted a colorful dinner and function in a local hotel in Islamabad on Thursday evening. Dignitaries of different walks of life, Ambassadors and diplomats of different countries, business community, political and social figures also participated in the anniversary function.
Pakistan and Kyrgyz Republic enjoying a good bilateral relations in all fields of trade,cultural,religious and diplomatic affairs.
Pakistan formally consummated diplomatic ties with Kyrgyzstan on May 10, 1992, although relations were initially founded on December 20, 1991.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have centuries-long cultural, religious and economic relations well before their creation. Zaheer-Uddin Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty in India hailed from the valley of Ferghana that is located in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Babur’s mosque is still preserved in Kyrgyz city of Osh that is very popular tourist attraction.
After the demise of USSR, Kyrgyzstan got independence in 1991. Pakistan was among the earliest countries to recognize Kyrgyzstan in December 1991 that was followed by the start of diplomatic relations on May 10, 1992. In August 1995, Diplomatic Mission of Pakistan was established in Bishkek. The same year, both countries signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT).Over the years, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have cooperated and collaborated in several ways to strengthen political, economic and trade ties.
Kyrgyzstan has comparatively fragile economy in Central Asia with population of 6.4 million, external debt US$ 3.85 billion (54% of GDP), foreign exchange reserves of US$ 2.3 billion and exchange rate (KGS/US$) of 69.789, unemployment of 7.2%,reliance on home remittances and landlockedness. Notwithstanding these economic indicators, recent third revolution in 15 years reflects that Kyrgyzstan is distinctive state in Central Asia that is developing immunity against the corrupt and authoritarian rule.
With rich water resources, Kyrgyzstan is one of the major producers of hydroelectricity of Central Asia. Under Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Programme (CASA-1000), Pakistan is supposed to receive 1300 megawatt hydel energy from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The project is expected to be completed by 2023. Then, there is Quadrilateral Traffic and Transit Agreement (QTTA) among Pakistan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan that provides an effective connectivity network between Central Asia and Gowadar port of Pakistan in Arabian Sea under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The QTTA was signed on March 09, 1995 in Islamabad to facilitate transit traffic and trade among the member countries. The route followed under QTTA is as under: Karachi-Rawalpindi-Hassan Abdal-Gilgit-Khunjrab (Pak/China Border)-Kashgar -Torugart (China/Kyrgyzstan Border)-Bishkek-Akjol-Kordai (Kyrgyzstan/ Kazakhstan Border)-Almaty (Kazakhstan) = Length – about 3710 Km.
QTTA affords the member countries an alternative gateway to Central Asia by circumnavigating Afghanistan, in case of continued instability and insecurity.
Education always plays a key role in strengthening bilateral relations. Kyrgyzstan is serving as a hub of medical education for South Asian students. Currently, over 8000 Pakistani students are studying in the medical institutions of Kyrgyzstan. Off late, four state universities of Kyrgyzstan have been declared green by Pakistan Medical Council for medical education. Moreover, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan has already made a lot of progress in setting up world class comprehensive research intensive University of Central Asia and Pakistan (UCAP) in Islamabad. Aim is to focus on dissemination of knowledge while promoting regional connectivity initiatives of the Central Asia Regional countries. Kyrgyz educationists have also to be involved in the execution and operations of academic programmes of UCAP. Both countries are keen to extend this educational cooperation in areas of tourism, agriculture, dairy and food industry, medicine, water energy and climate change.
Despite above progress, the volume of trade between these brotherly countries is very low. The existing trade volume of around US$ 4 million dollar is not at par with the potential. Major exports of Pakistan to Kyrgyzstan can include fruits and vegetable juices, surgical instruments, textile products, pharmaceuticals, furniture, sports goods and leather etc. Similarly, Kyrgyzstan can export items like meat, dairy products, raw cow and sheep hides, mechanical and electrical equipment, aluminum, oil products, and jet fuel etc.
Both Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan are rich in mineral resources and have high skilled human resources. They have huge scope for developing industry and agriculture, attracting foreign investment for joint production and supply of goods and services. It is recommended that the Inter-governmental Kyrgyz-Pakistan Commission established in 1994 must be activated further to promote trade and economic relations. Pakistani products have been found to be very competitive with affordable prices and can capture a better market share in Kyrgyzstan.
Exactly 32 years ago, the Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR adopted the Declaration of State Independence of the Republic.
Sooronbai Jeenbekov, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, made a congratulatory address to the nation.
“Our independence is a sacred legacy passed down to us by our ancestors who fought for centuries, gave their lives and shed blood for it,” the official website of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic quotes the address.
“Our freedom is a feeling that lives in the depths of the hearts of each of us.
The legacy that we receive from the older generations is passed on to the future ones. The sacred duty of each of us is to protect the independence of the state, the unity of the people, the integrity of our land.”
“This year we celebrate the 29th anniversary of independence during a global pandemic. The pandemic that has hit the whole world has become a great test for our republic too,” Sooronbai Jeenbekov said in his address.
The disease has not been completely eradicated today, but its spread has slowed down significantly,” said President Jeenbekov. “Nevertheless, the situation remains alarming. Having left the sad days behind, we continue to pursue the restoration of daily life. Together and in harmony, we will overcome this disease and economic challenges that accompany it,” Sooronbai Jeenbekov said.
“Over the years of independence, we all have gone through great trials. Our state has experienced historical events that have attracted the attention of the global community. There were days when the question arose as to whether Kyrgyzstan could maintain its statehood and independence. Thank God, we are recognized internationally as an independent state. Our multinational people who value unity and friendship, who can unite like a clenched fist in difficult times, they have seen us through all this time,” said the President of the Kyrgyz Republic.
