Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has arrived in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to participate in a high-level meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where he is expected to discuss regional cooperation, economic integration and bilateral relations with participating countries.
Upon his arrival, Dar was received by Tajikistan’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Irfan Ahmed, Pakistan’s national coordinator for the SCO Khalil Hashmi, and senior Tajik government officials.
During the visit, Dar met Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda and expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended to the Pakistani delegation and the arrangements made for the SCO gathering. He also congratulated Tajikistan on the 35th anniversary of its independence.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO), the two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, connectivity, defence and culture. They also discussed strengthening people-to-people contacts and enhancing collaboration on climate change and water security.
Dar highlighted Pakistan’s expertise in disaster management and pointed to opportunities for cooperation with Tajikistan through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The two sides also exchanged views on regional developments, with Dar reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with Tajikistan to promote peace and strengthen economic integration across the region.
On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, Dar met Mongolia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Jadambyn Enkhbayar during a reception hosted by Rasulzoda for heads of participating delegations.
He also held an informal meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at a banquet dinner. According to the Foreign Office, the two leaders discussed Pakistan-China strategic relations, describing their exchange as cordial, and shared views on current regional developments.
Dar is visiting Tajikistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Rasulzoda to attend the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting, scheduled for October 19 and 20.
The CHG is the organisation’s second-highest decision-making body. It provides direction on economic, financial, trade, connectivity and socio-economic cooperation, as well as matters relating to the organisation’s budget.
The meeting is being attended by the prime ministers of Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Iran is represented by its vice president, while India’s external affairs minister is also participating.
The Foreign Office said Dar would additionally meet Tajikistan’s president and prime minister and hold bilateral discussions with counterparts from other SCO member states during the visit.
Pakistan assumed the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for the 2026–27 term during the organisation’s annual summit in Kyrgyzstan in September. Islamabad is scheduled to host the next summit in 2027.
On October 1, Dar chaired a follow-up meeting to assess preparations for the upcoming gathering.
Pakistan has also remained active in other SCO initiatives. In July, the country hosted the organisation’s 12th meeting of the heads of border services of competent authorities. Islamabad also holds the chairmanship of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, a role it assumed in September last year.
Pakistan last hosted the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad in October 2024.
