Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday called on the Afghan Taliban government to ensure that Afghan territory is not used for terrorism against Pakistan or other countries, saying stability in Afghanistan is essential for regional peace and security.
Addressing the 25th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe, Dar said Pakistan wanted a peaceful, stable, regionally integrated and prosperous Afghanistan that could manage its internal affairs and coexist peacefully with its neighbours.
He said Pakistan had made sincere efforts for Afghanistan’s development and the welfare of its people.
“Pakistan expects the Afghan Taliban government to ensure that Afghan soil is not used for terrorism against Pakistan or the rest of the world,” Dar said.
He said sustainable economic growth could not be achieved without lasting peace and security, adding that Pakistan remained committed to establishing a peaceful and stable neighbourhood to promote regional development and prosperity.
Dar called for greater regional economic integration through increased investment in energy, transport, agriculture, mining, minerals and information technology.
He said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) offered significant opportunities for SCO member states to strengthen connectivity and accelerate regional economic integration.
The deputy prime minister said Pakistan considered artificial intelligence, digital transformation, innovation, energy cooperation and international information security key areas for future collaboration within the organisation.
Referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision for Pakistan’s leadership of the SCO, Dar said five priority areas had been identified, including peace and security, regional connectivity and trade, innovation and digital transformation, climate resilience and sustainable energy, and stronger people-to-people ties.
He said strategic investments in transport and energy infrastructure were essential for meaningful regional economic integration.
Dar also called for accelerating efforts to promote the use of national currencies in trade payments and settlements among SCO member states.
He said establishing an SCO development bank, development fund and investment fund would help finance regional development projects and protect member states from the adverse effects of international financial crises.
The deputy prime minister criticized protectionist policies and unilateral coercive measures, saying they violated the principles of international law, restricted economic growth, hindered technological advancement and increased inequality.
He called for reforms to the international financial system and global trade rules to ensure equitable economic development.
Highlighting Pakistan’s contributions to the SCO, Dar said Islamabad hosted the Council of Heads of Government meeting in 2024 and successfully completed its leadership of the organization’s counterterrorism structure this year.
He said Pakistan, as chair of the SCO Working Group on Poverty Alleviation, continued to exchange experiences with other member states and aimed to highlight the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in reducing poverty.
Dar said the SCO had expanded cooperation in trade, infrastructure, culture and innovation over the past 25 years while remaining committed to the principles of mutual trust and respect for diversity under the Shanghai Spirit.
He thanked Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda and the government and people of Tajikistan for their hospitality and congratulated SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev and SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure Director Olarbek Sharisheev on the successful meeting.
He also acknowledged the work of national coordinators and experts in finalising the meeting’s documents and decisions, saying the joint declaration and other statements reflected the shared aspirations of member states.
Dar congratulated Uzbekistan on assuming the SCO Council of Heads of Government chairmanship for 2026-2027.
He said Pakistan looked forward to welcoming SCO heads of state and their delegations to Islamabad for the organization’s summit in August next year.
The deputy prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to playing an active role in shaping the future of regional connectivity and economic prosperity across Eurasia.
PAK SOUCH MEDIA GROUP
Daily Pak Souch Newspaper Sukkur – Daily Pak Special Newspaper Karachi – Daily Pak Today Newspaper Karachi – Daily Pak Jazbo Newspaper Sukkur
Head Office : Ayub Gate Shaikh Muhalla Near Rabbania Masjid Sukkur
Karachi Office : Office No. 1901-B, 19th Floor Saima Trade Tower (B) Block I.I Chandigarh Road Near Jung Press, Shaheen Complex & National Museum of Pakistan Karachi Sindh Pakistan.
Contact : 03009319022
Website 1 : https://paksouch.com/
Website 2 : https://sindhi.paksouch.com/
Website 3 : https://pakjazbo.com/
Website 4 : https://urdu.pakjazbo.com/
About The Author
