Islamabad (TDI): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar received the Secretary General of SCO, Nurlan Yermekbayev, today in Islamabad.
The Secretary General is on a two-day official visit of Pakistan. FM Dar congratulated Nurlan Yermekbayev on his new assignment as the Secretary General.
During the meeting, Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment for the “Shanghai spirit,” and appreciated the role of SCO as a forum for promoting regional peace, security, & economic development.
The SG lauded Pakistan’s successful hosting of the Council of Heads of Government of SCO in Islamabad, in October last year.
He also appreciated Pakistan’s constructive engagement with the SCO mechanisms especially in the areas of bilateral trade, transport, and connectivity.
Both dignitaries exchanged views on SCO priorities. They deliberated on ways and means for advancing cooperation under the multilateral regional organization, in the areas of transportation and logistics, energy security, food security, health, e-commerce, and green economy.
Earlier, on April 17, Secretary General Yermekbayev also met the Minister of Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 received the Secretary General of SCO, Nurlan Yermekbayev on 18 April 2025. He congratulated him on his new assignment as the SG SCO.
DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment for the “Shanghai… pic.twitter.com/2pt0TjIazB
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 18, 2025
He is also scheduled to meet Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, Amna Baloch and will visit the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).
SCO, now a ten-member inter-governmental trans-regional organization, originally started off as Shanghai Five in 1996. It assumed its current name in 2001, while Pakistan joined this regional organization in 2017.
It is the largest regional multilateral organization of the world. SCO region is home to 3.4 billion people, which makes 42% of the world population.
Nuzhat Rana is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
