Pakistan FM holds series of SCO-sideline meetings, discusses regional diplomacy, global issues

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday held a series of meetings with top officials from different nations on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

FM Dar arrived alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the Kyrgyz capital for a three-day official visit to attend the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and the SCO Plus Summit.

Pakistan's also assumed chairmanship of the council for 2026-27.

Constructive and principled role: UN secretary-general

 Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, where the two sides exchanged views on regional developments, preparations for the upcoming UNGA, and ongoing work at the UN Security Council, according to the foreign office.

FM Dar appreciated the secretary-general’s leadership in advancing the UN’s role in addressing global challenges and promoting effective multilateralism

“He reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to the UN and underscored the close and longstanding Pakistan–UN partnership,” it added.

Guterres appreciated Pakistan’s “constructive and principled role” in multilateral diplomacy and commended its contributions to promoting regional peace and security.

“The DPM/FM extended an invitation to the secretary-general to visit Pakistan, which he accepted,” the statement added.

Coordinate efforts

The foreign minister had a productive meeting with Nurlan Yermekbayev, Secretary-General of the SCO in Bishkek, where both sides agreed to remain closely engaged and coordinate efforts throughout Pakistan’s Chairmanship.

The Secretary-General congratulated Pakistan on assuming the Chairmanship of the SCO for 2026–27, conveying his support and assuring the SCO Secretariat’s full cooperation in advancing Pakistan’s priorities for the organization.

“The DPM/FM shared Pakistan’s priorities and proposed approach for its Chairmanship,” it added.

The meeting was also attended by Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch and National Coordinator for the SCO Muhammad Faisal.

Dar, Overchuk discussed regional developments

 FM Dar met with Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexei Overchuk, where the two sides discussed regional and international developments of mutual interest.

“The two sides had a productive exchange of views on bilateral relations, reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening the close Pakistan–Russia partnership,” it said.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further enhancing cooperation and maintaining high-level engagement.

Brotherly ties

The foreign minister also had a pull-aside interaction with the Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin, where the pair reaffirmed the close and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Tajikistan.

“The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional developments of mutual interest, reaffirming the close and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Tajikistan,” the statement said.

Bilateral partnership

FM Dar met with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, where the two sides reaffirmed the strong bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

“They also exchanged views on regional and international developments and matters of mutual interest,” the statement added.

The two sides expressed their commitment to further strengthening the bilateral partnership.

One year of diplomatic relations

Pakistan's foreign minister held a pull-aside meeting with Armenia's Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to building on the positive momentum in bilateral ties.

Marking the first anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, both sides exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.

Continued coordination

 FM Dar met with Director of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MİT), İbrahim Kalın, where both dignitaries exchanged views on regional developments and matters of mutual interest

The two sides exchanged views on the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and the inaugural meeting of its Strategic Political and Defense Committee, as well as recent developments in the region.

The foreign minister underscored the importance of continued coordination and diplomatic engagement for regional peace, security and stability.

All-weather strategic cooperation

 The foreign minister met with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State, where the two sides held a warm and cordial exchange, reaffirming the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries.

During the meeting, both sides discussed matters of mutual interest, including the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2026 in New York and the ongoing process for the election of the next Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Close and growing partnership

On the sidelines of the SCO, FM Dar met with the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov, where both sides reaffirmed the close and growing partnership between the two sides.

Both sides discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.

Islamabad MoU

FM Dar had A warm exchange with his Iranian counterpart, where the two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional developments and reaffirmed the importance of continued engagement

“DPM/FM underscored that dialogue and diplomacy remain essential to promoting peace and stability in the region, and that sincere implementation by both parties to the conflict of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding of June 2026 remains the only way forward,” the statement added.

The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was reached in June 2026 between the United States and Iran after months of military confrontation and diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.

Pakistan played a key mediating role, hosting earlier rounds of talks and facilitating contacts between the two sides.

The meetings highlighted Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement on the sidelines of the SCO, with a focus on strengthening bilateral ties, promoting regional stability and advancing cooperation on key international issues.