DPM/FM Dar’s participation in SCO-CFM reaffirms Pakistan’s historic ties, commitment to promote agenda

ISLAMABAD, July 25 (APP): Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers’ (CFM) meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic, provided an opportunity not only to underscore Pakistan’s historic ties with the SCO Member States but also to reaffirm its readiness to assume the Chair of the SCO for 2026–27 and to promote the SCO agenda for socio-economic cooperation for mutual benefit.

During his participation from July 23-24, both the formal meetings and informal interactions with the Heads of Delegation of the SCO Member States were useful in highlighting Pakistan’s priorities for making SCO mechanisms more effective in advancing shared regional prosperity and economic goals, the Foreign Office Spokesperson, Saturday, said in a press release.

On the sidelines of the SCO CFM Meeting, in addition to productive and detailed discussions with the host Foreign Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister engaged extensively and exchanged in-depth views on bilateral relations and the regional situation with the Foreign Ministers of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi; the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Abbas Araghchi; the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yermek Kosherbayev; the Republic of Belarus, Maxim Ryzhenkov; the Republic of Tajikistan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin; and the Republic of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov.

During his visit, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister attended an informal dinner at the Cultural Center “Nomad”, hosted by the Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, Zheenbek Moldokanovich Kulubaev, in honour of the visiting dignitaries.

The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister also called on the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov, at the State Residence of the President in Cholpon-Ata, along with the Heads of Delegation of the SCO Member States.

Conveying the greetings of Pakistan’s leadership, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister expressed Pakistan’s desire to work closely with the Kyrgyz side to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across diverse fields.

Leading the Pakistan delegation to the SCO CFM Meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister delivered Pakistan’s national statement, reiterating the country’s unwavering commitment to the SCO Charter, as well as the “Shanghai Spirit”, which stood for mutual trust, mutual respect, shared prosperity and development.

He warned against confrontational geopolitics and the use of aggression as an instrument of policy.

In his statement, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister highlighted Pakistan’s efforts that led to the ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)’ for bringing peace to the Middle East.

He underscored the importance of enhancing connectivity, transport links, poverty alleviation, as well as practical cooperation among the SCO Member States to achieve the Organisation’s objectives.

He highly praised the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which complements the SCO’s vision of regional connectivity and economic integration.

The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister conveyed Pakistan’s readiness to assume the Chair of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) in September this year and to host the CHS Summit in 2027. He invited all SCO Member States to Pakistan for the CHS Summit next year.

During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister attended the official reception hosted by Foreign Minister Kulubaev in honour of the Foreign Ministers of the SCO Member States.