Pakistan reaffirms SCO commitment as Dar pushes connectivity, economic integration

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to deeper regional cooperation as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar led the country’s delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting in Moscow, the foreign office said in a statement on Tuesday. 

Dar delivered Pakistan’s national statements in both the Narrow and Expanded Format sessions and held a series of high-level engagements with SCO leaders on the sidelines.

In the CHG’s SCO-members-only session, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s adherence to the “Shanghai Spirit” and outlined priority areas including connectivity, energy, transport linkages, logistics, and infrastructure development.

He encouraged member states to promote the use of national currencies for mutual settlements and called for establishing an “SCO Development Bank, an SCO Development Fund, and an Investment Fund.”

On regional security, the foreign minister stressed that stability in Afghanistan remained essential for peace across the region. He urged member states to launch “a comprehensive dialogue to address the full spectrum of regional issues.”

During the Expanded Format session, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to “building economic bridges through tangible actions.” He urged greater trade, investment, and digital integration, and offered to share Pakistan’s expertise in disaster preparedness.

He also proposed modernizing the organization by mainstreaming English, strengthening partnerships with Observer and Dialogue Partner states, and using the SCO Interbank Consortium to finance development initiatives.

He further highlighted the need to “build human capital” and empower youth through academic linkages and an upgraded SCO University Network focused on applied knowledge.

Leaders at the Moscow meeting discussed trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation, including broader engagement with Observers and Partners.

The forum, attended by leaders from Mongolia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, and Turkmenistan, approved around a dozen decisions and adopted a joint communiqué setting the strategic direction for future economic cooperation.

Bilateral talks with Russia

Dar held a substantive bilateral meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk. The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan-Russia ties, focusing on cooperation in political, economic, energy, connectivity, agricultural, industrial, educational, and people-to-people sectors.

Dar conveyed greetings from Pakistan’s leadership and emphasized “the importance of enhanced high-level engagement” with Russia. Overchuk recalled his 2024 visit to Islamabad and said Pakistan had “tremendous potential to emerge as a regional hub for transit trade and connectivity.”

He also welcomed Pakistan’s establishment of ties with Armenia, noting that it would strengthen engagement with the Eurasian Economic Union.

Both leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments. They reaffirmed their commitment to deeper cooperation at the UN and the SCO, agreeing to maintain real-time diplomatic engagement going forward.

Sideline meetings

Dar also met Chinese Premier Li Qiang and reaffirmed the “all-weather” Pakistan-China partnership, reviewing bilateral and multilateral cooperation, particularly within the SCO, and praising the principles of the Shanghai Spirit.