President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s offer to provide Kyrgyzstan the shortest and most cost-effective access route to the Arabian Sea, stressing the need to deepen regional connectivity and trade links.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov in Islamabad, where both leaders underscored the importance of boosting direct flights to strengthen trade, tourism and people-to-people ties.

Zardari welcomed Kyrgyzstan’s completion of its section of the CASA-1000 energy project and assured Pakistan’s commitment to finishing its portion, which officials say is now in the advanced stage.

He also informed the visiting leader that Pakistan has added Kyrgyzstan to its Business Visa List and Visa Prior to Arrival categories, urging reciprocal facilitation for Pakistani investors and travellers.

President Zhaparov thanked Pakistan for supporting Kyrgyzstan’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council and extended an invitation to President Zardari to visit Bishkek.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the operational road corridor under the Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement, calling it a key step toward greater regional trade.

A state banquet was hosted in honour of the Kyrgyz president following the meeting.