Islamabad (TDI): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advancing the objectives of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) during a meeting with the organization’s Secretary General, Nurlan Yermekbayev.
According to the Foreign Office, the two sides held a productive discussion on the SCO’s priorities and explored ways to deepen cooperation among member states in key sectors, including trade, transport and regional connectivity.
They also exchanged views on regional and international developments, with Yermekbayev commending Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace, stability and cooperation.
During the meeting, the SCO secretary general shared proposals aimed at improving the organization’s effectiveness and briefed Dar on preparations for the upcoming SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting, scheduled to be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
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Dar reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment to the SCO’s goals and expressed readiness to work closely with all member states as the country prepares to assume the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State in September and host the SCO Summit in 2027.
Established in 2001 as a regional security forum, the SCO has since expanded its agenda to include economic cooperation, trade, connectivity and regional development.
The organization’s ten member states are China, Pakistan, India, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus, while Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status.
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Last month, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the “Shanghai Spirit”, calling for enhanced cooperation among SCO members to combat terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime and terror financing.
