Dar reinforces Pakistan’s SCO diplomacy with high-level engagements across Central Asia

• DPM/FM holds bilateral talks with Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on sidelines of SCO-CFM meeting

• Partners pledge deeper cooperation in trade, connectivity, energy, defence and investment

• Belarus, Kazakhstan commend Pakistan’s diplomatic role in promoting regional peace and dialogue

• Dar reaffirms Pakistan’s readiness to assume SCO chairmanship and host CHS Summit next year

• Foreign minister urges timely implementation of bilateral understandings and strategic partnerships

 CHOLPON-ATA/ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing regional connectivity among Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states as he held a series of high-level meetings with the foreign ministers of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (SCO-CFM) meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan.

The meetings underscored Pakistan’s efforts to deepen strategic partnerships, expand economic and trade collaboration, enhance regional connectivity and reinforce multilateral cooperation ahead of the country’s assumption of the SCO chairmanship, while highlighting Islamabad’s continued diplomatic role in promoting regional peace and stability.

According to the Foreign Office (FO), DPM/FM Dar met his Belarusian counterpart Maxim Ryzhenkov, with the two sides reviewing bilateral relations and reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation across a wide range of sectors.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Mr. Maxim Ryzhenkov, on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) Meeting in Cholpon-Ata.

The two sides reviewed… pic.twitter.com/sVSaJvYH6C

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 25, 2026

“The two ministers also looked forward to the ninth session of the Pakistan-Belarus Joint Ministerial Commission, to be hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad on August 11-12, 2026, as well as to high-level exchanges,” the FO said.

The statement said the two leaders discussed ways to expand economic and trade cooperation, deepen collaboration in defence, agriculture, technology and workforce exchange, and reaffirmed their commitment to the Roadmap for Comprehensive Cooperation 2025–2027.

It added that Dar and Ryzhenkov “also exchanged views on regional developments and issues of mutual interest,” with the Belarusian foreign minister appreciating Pakistan’s “constructive role in facilitating dialogue during the US-Iran situation” and commending Islamabad’s continued efforts to promote regional peace and security.

 Meanwhile, DPM/FM Dar met Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev and reviewed the “positive momentum” in bilateral relations following the visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Pakistan earlier this year.

In a post on X, the FO said the two ministers “reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the understandings reached, including the 37 MoUs signed during the visit.”

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, Yermek Kosherbayev, on the sidelines of the SCO CFM Meeting in Kyrgyzstan.

The two leaders reviewed the positive momentum in… pic.twitter.com/Uln3yY6SOy

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 25, 2026

“They agreed to intensify cooperation in trade, investment, transport and regional connectivity, energy, people-to-people exchanges and at multilateral forums,” the statement added.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments, reiterating their shared commitment to peace, stability and prosperity.

Kosherbayev appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to advance regional peace and diplomacy and invited Dar to visit Kazakhstan, which he graciously accepted at a mutually convenient time, the FO said.

 In a separate meeting with Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Dar and his counterpart “reaffirmed the longstanding, brotherly and close ties between Pakistan and Tajikistan.”

The two leaders also “expressed their shared commitment to further expanding cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, energy, culture and people-to-people exchanges,” the FO said in another post on X.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with the Foreign Minister of Tajikistan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin, on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan.

The two sides reaffirmed the… pic.twitter.com/w610US4ZEV

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 25, 2026

Furthermore, Dar and Muhriddin “underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges to further strengthen the bilateral partnership,” with the Tajik foreign minister reaffirming his country’s support for Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote peace, stability and the peaceful resolution of regional issues.

“The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments and emphasised the importance of cooperation at multilateral forums to advance peace, stability and prosperity,” the FO added.

 Meeting with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, Dar and his counterpart “reaffirmed the strength of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, connectivity, energy, culture and people-to-people exchanges.”

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov @FM_Saidov, on the sidelines of the SCO CFM Meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan.

The two Ministers reaffirmed the strength of the… pic.twitter.com/0YoWWFLLCu

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 25, 2026

The ministers also “emphasised the importance of sustained high-level exchanges and closer engagement between the business communities of both countries to further expand economic ties.”

According to the FO, Dar and Saidov discussed cooperation at regional and multilateral forums and recalled the successful visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Pakistan earlier this year, underscoring “the importance of translating the understandings reached during the visit into tangible outcomes through timely implementation.”

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments, with Saidov appreciating Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and stability, including its role in facilitating the Islamabad MoU.

“Both sides expressed hope that dialogue and diplomacy would continue to pave the way for lasting peace and regional stability,” the FO said.

 In a separate post on X, the FO shared details of Dar’s participation in the SCO-CFM meeting, saying his visit to Kyrgyzstan provided an opportunity to reaffirm Pakistan’s historic ties with SCO member states and underscore its readiness to assume the SCO chair for 2026–27.

🔈 PR No. 1️⃣8️⃣8️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣

Visit of the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic from 23-24 July 2026… pic.twitter.com/ATs6aUGxAw

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 25, 2026

“Dar's visit provided an opportunity not only to underscore Pakistan's historic ties with the SCO member states but also to reaffirm its readiness to assume the chair of the SCO for 2026-27 and to promote the SCO agenda for socio-economic cooperation for mutual benefit,” it said.

 During the visit, Dar attended an informal dinner at the Cultural Centre “Nomad”, hosted by Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Moldokanovich Kulubaev in honour of the visiting dignitaries.

The FO recalled that Dar also called on Kyrgyz President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov and conveyed greetings from Pakistan’s leadership while expressing Islamabad’s desire to work closely with the Kyrgyz side to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across diverse fields.

Dar later led the Pakistani delegation at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers, where he delivered Pakistan’s national statement, reiterating the country’s unwavering commitment to the SCO Charter and the “Shanghai Spirit,” founded on mutual trust, mutual respect, shared prosperity and development.

The foreign minister also conveyed Pakistan’s readiness to assume the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) in September and invited all SCO member states to Pakistan for the CHS Summit next year, the FO said.

 Dar concludes official visits to Philippines, Kyrgyzstan

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar departed Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic, for Islamabad after successfully concluding his visits to Manila, Philippines, where he attended the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting, and to Kyrgyzstan for the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 departed Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic, for Islamabad today after successfully concluding his visits to Manila, Philippines, for the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting (22–23 July), and to… pic.twitter.com/a1VwXmtm9V

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 25, 2026

At the airport, Dar was seen off by Deputy Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Kairat Erkinovich Tursunkulov, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Altamash Wazir and officials of the Embassy of Pakistan in Bishkek, the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press release.