News - Pakistan, Islamabad, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria

On January 21, 2026, during his visit to Pakistan, the Director General of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Mr. Kiril Valchev signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Managing Director of Pakistan’s official news agency, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Mr. Muhammad Asim Khichi. The signing took place in the presence of the Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan Mr. Ashfaq Khalil and the Ambassador of Bulgaria Ms. Irena Gancheva. Guests at the ceremony included representatives of the ministries of foreign affairs and information, journalists from APP and other leading Pakistani media outlets, as well as diplomats from the Bulgarian Embassy in Islamabad.

On 25 November 2025, a photo exhibition dedicated to the ancient treasures of Pakistan and Bulgaria was inaugurated at the COMSATS University gallery in Islamabad.

On August 12, 2025, Ambassador Irena Gancheva visited the National Assembly of Pakistan, where she held a meeting with Ms. Zeb Jafar, Chairperson of the Pakistan-Bulgaria Parliamentary Friendship Group. During the discussion, the importance of parliamentary contacts between the two countries was emphasized, as well as the key role of the friendship groups in developing and expanding Bulgaria-Pakistan relations in areas of mutual interest.

On June 24, 2025, Ambassador Irena Gancheva visited the Foreign Service Academy of Pakistan, where she held a meeting with its newly appointed Director General Ambassador Ahmad Hussain Dayo. During the conversation, a review was conducted of the existing cooperation between the Pakistani Academy and the Diplomatic Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria. The two sides also exchanged ideas for new joint initiatives, including in the context of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations. An agreement was reached to work towards a more active exchange in the area of diplomatic training, implementation of joint projects, and research on current geopolitical and regional issues of mutual interest.

To mark the Day of Bulgarian alphabet, enlightenment and culture, and the Slavic literature, and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Pakistan, on 3 June 2025 the Embassy of Bulgaria in Islamabad hosted a captivating photo exhibition titled „The Ancient Treasures of Bulgaria“. The event was organized with the support of the Institute for Balkan Studies and Centre of Thracology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in cooperation with the State Institute for Culture to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria.

On 28 March 2025 Ambassador Irena Gancheva visited Pakistan Academy of Letters where she had a productive meeting with the Chairperson Prof. Dr. Najeeba Arif. During the conversation the Bulgarian Ambassador congratulated Prof. Dr. Arif on her high professional achievements and in particular on becoming the first female Chairperson of the Academy of Letters since its establishment almost 50 years ago. The two sides exchanged ideas about joint collaborative events including presentations of books of Bulgarian and Pakistani authors, literary readings, seminars, translations and publications of literary works. It was emphasized that such initiatives would contribute towards strengthening the cooperation with partner organizations in Bulgaria, in particular the Union of the Bulgarian Writers, and fostering bilateral cultural exchanges on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Pakistan which will be celebrated in the second half of 2025.

The Embassy of Bulgaria in Islamabad took part for the third time in a row in the EuroVillage Cultural Festival which was held on 15 February 2025 in the Pakistani capital. The event, co-organized by the Delegation of the European Union and the diplomatic missions of the EU Member States, aimed to promote the unity of the European countries in their diversity, as well as their strong spirit based on mutual understanding, respect, and support.

On 25 November 2024 Ambassador Irena Gancheva met with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at the Chief Minister House in Karachi. Various topics came under discussion with a particular focus on the bilateral cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, agriculture, education, culture, and people-to-people contacts. The Chief Minister informed about the ongoing efforts of the provincial authorities aimed at overcoming the consequences of the devastating floods of September 2022 that affected adversely the province of Sindh as well as other parts of the country. Ambassador Gancheva reiterated Bulgaria’s solidarity with Pakistan in response to the devastating floods. Bulgaria joined the international relief efforts in October 2022 with a voluntary contribution to WFP aimed at improving the lives of the affected population. Both sides expressed mutual desire to continue their collaboration in that area in the future.

On 7 August 2024 at the invitation of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training of Pakistan Ambassador Irena Gancheva visited the Islamabad College for Girls (ICG) at F6/2 where she was warmly received by the College Principal Professor Sabah Faisal, faculty members and the students. The Ambassador witnessed different interventions, interacted with the teachers and the girls, and saw the latest school facilities. She also exchanged ideas with Prof. Sabah Faisal and her team on future collaboration between the Embassy of Bulgaria in Islamabad and ICG in the fields of art and culture that will contribute to promoting Bulgaria and its bilateral relations with Pakistan, as well as advancing the role of girls and women in society.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in the process of implementing a large-scale project, coordinated in advance with all responsible institutions in Bulgaria and the EU, including the implementation and launch of a new version of the National Visa Information System (NVIS).