Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar’s participation in the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) underscores Pakistan’s strong commitment to the SCO Charter, its cooperative spirit, and the organization’s importance in Pakistan’s foreign policy.

According to Prof. Cheng Xizhong, Senior Research Fellow at the Charhar Institute, this participation highlights Pakistan’s intention to enhance its influence in regional affairs through deepened cooperation with SCO member states.

The meeting aimed to prepare for the upcoming Tianjin Summit by coordinating summit agendas, discussing cooperation in various sectors, addressing major international and regional issues, and signing key resolutions and documents.

Prof. Cheng emphasized that SCO member states have vast potential for cooperation in areas such as the economy, trade, and environmental sustainability. He noted that Pakistan could utilize the platform to forge stronger economic partnerships, attract investment, and stimulate national economic growth.

He recalled that the 2024 meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of SCO Member States was held in Islamabad, where critical measures were adopted to enhance economic collaboration among member states, creating new trade and investment opportunities for Pakistan.

He further stated that the SCO’s “circle of friends” continues to expand, with evolving cooperation now progressing on multiple tracks beyond the traditional focus on security and economics.

Prof. Cheng concluded that the high-level participation of Pakistan’s foreign minister supports the country’s efforts to engage in broader fields of cooperation and share in regional development.