SUSHA: D-8 Secretary-General Ambassador Sohail Mahmood has said Pakistan, as a founding member of the Developing Eight (D-8) Organisation for Economic Cooperation, has made significant contributions at various stages of the organisation’s evolution and remains committed to strengthening the bloc’s role on the regional and global stage.
In an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV, Ambassador Mahmood recalled that Pakistan hosted the D-8 Summit in 2012, during which the organization’s charter was unanimously adopted. He said the ‘Islamabad Declaration’ and ‘Vision Statement’ were also adopted at the summit, describing them as landmark achievements in the D-8’s institutional development.
“Pakistan is a founding member of D-8, and at various junctures in this organization's evolution, Pakistan has made a very, very important and critical contribution,” he said.
The secretary-general said it was an honor for Pakistan to have its first D-8 secretary-general, reflecting the country’s commitment to making the organisation more effective and internationally visible.
He said the D-8, now comprising nine member states, represents a population of 1.28 billion people with a combined GDP of more than $5 trillion, while its members are emerging economies and influential voices of the Global South.
Highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic role, Ambassador Mahmood said the country had recently demonstrated its leadership by spearheading mediation efforts that helped secure a ceasefire, with strong backing from fellow D-8 members Turkiye and Egypt.
“The ceasefire was effected through Pakistan’s spearheaded process, strongly supported by other D-8 members like Turkey and Egypt as well. This is something that has been appreciated worldwide, and we are very proud of the fact that so much was achieved for global peace and security,” he said.
Ambassador Mahmood said Pakistan could further strengthen cooperation within the D-8 in areas including agriculture, tourism, climate action and digital transformation, adding that the country would continue working with member states to deepen collaboration and enhance the organisation’s contribution to regional development and global peace.
He said Pakistan TV is one of the region’s foremost national broadcasters and has undergone significant transformation in recent years, enhancing its domestic and international outreach. He said Pakistan TV is now effectively conveying Pakistan’s message to global audiences and has built longstanding partnerships with national broadcasters in Turkiye as well as newer collaborations with counterparts in Azerbaijan.
