Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar wrapped up a regional diplomatic tour on Saturday following high-level discussions with counterparts from Central Asia and Belarus aimed at strengthening connectivity, trade, defence, and energy cooperation.
On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, Dar held separate talks with the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. The Foreign Office stated that the engagements focused on deepening Pakistan’s strategic partnerships and advancing economic integration.
In his meeting with Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev, Dar agreed to intensify bilateral cooperation across transport, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. Kosherbayev extended an invitation for Dar to visit Kazakhstan, which was accepted.
Dar and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov stressed the need for closer engagement between their business communities to broaden economic ties. Both sides highlighted the importance of converting agreements made during Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Pakistan into concrete outcomes.
During talks with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Dar reaffirmed the longstanding fraternal ties between Islamabad and Dushanbe, with both parties committing to expand collaboration in trade, culture, and energy.
In discussions with Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, Dar reiterated commitment to the Roadmap for Comprehensive Cooperation for 2025–27. The two ministers agreed to broaden cooperation in defence, agriculture, technology, and workforce exchange.
Dar departed Cholpon-Ata for Islamabad on Saturday, concluding a diplomatic itinerary that also included a stop in Manila, Philippines, for the ASEAN Regional Forum. He was seen off by Kyrgyz Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Erkinovich Tursunkulov and Pakistani Ambassador Altamash Wazir.
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