Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized that sustainable peace and stability in the region can only be achieved by addressing terrorism originating from Afghanistan, he stated during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting.
“Durable peace, stability, and economic growth are impossible without eradicating the scourge of terrorism rooted in Afghan territory,” Dar asserted. He urged the SCO to press the Afghan Taliban to uphold its international counter-terrorism obligations and prioritize global security.
Highlighting the SCO’s evolution, Dar noted the bloc’s transformation from a security-focused Shanghai Five to a multifaceted platform integrating security, economic development, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation over its 25-year history.
Bilateral Engagements and Multilateral Cooperation
Following the SCO discussions, Dar met Kyrgyz Republic President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The meeting with Wang focused on strengthening bilateral relations, regional stability, and multilateral collaboration. Dar acknowledged Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives, while Wang extended warm wishes for Pakistan’s 2027 SCO Summit hosting.
Dar also thanked Zhaparov for the hospitality extended during the SCO meeting. The dialogue addressed regional and global challenges, reinforcing the SCO’s expanding role as a key cooperation platform. Pakistan reiterated its commitment to enhancing multilateral partnerships as it prepares for SCO chairmanship in 2026–27.
The SCO, comprising 10 member states (India, Iran, China, Pakistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan) with Afghanistan and Mongolia as observers, now drives regional trade and economic initiatives. Recent bilateral talks between Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Kyrgyzstan’s Zhaparov further solidified trade and investment cooperation between the two nations.
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