DPM tells SCO chief Pakistan he is ready to work closely with member states before taking over bloc’s presidency in September
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar holds a meeting with Shanghai Cooperation Organization Secretary General Nurlan Yermekbayev in Islamabad. PHOTO: FO/X
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promoting the goals of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as the country prepares to assume the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State later this year.
Dar made the remarks during a meeting in Islamabad with SCO Secretary General Nurlan Yermekbayev, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) said on X.
According to the statement, the two sides held a “productive exchange” on the organisation’s priorities and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between member states in key areas including economy, transport and connectivity. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 today received the Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Nurlan Yermekbayev.
The two sides held a productive exchange on the SCO priorities and ways to strengthen… pic.twitter.com/kerTmyAN0l
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 15, 2026
The FO said Yermekbayev praised Pakistan’s “constructive contribution to promoting regional peace, stability and cooperation”. He also shared suggestions for improving the effectiveness of the SCO and briefed Dar on the preparations for the upcoming SCO Foreign Ministers Council meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s “strong commitment to advancing the goals of the SCO” and expressed the country’s readiness “to work closely with all member states” ahead of assuming the chairmanship of the SCO Council of State in September.
Pakistan is to host the SCO summit in 2027.
Read more: Pakistan will take over the SCO helm in September
Outlining Islamabad’s priorities, Dar has previously said that Pakistan would pursue a practical and forward-looking agenda focused on strengthening economic cooperation, improving regional connectivity and expanding engagement among SCO member states.
Pakistan has also played an active role in the organization, including hosting the SCO Council of Heads of State, meeting in Islamabad in October 2024. The country currently chairs the SCO’s regional counter-terrorism structure for the period 2025-26.
Dar has also highlighted Pakistan’s role as the permanent chair of the SCO Working Group on Poverty Reduction, describing it as an important platform to improve living standards across member states.
