Peace, stability only possible by eliminating terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, Dar says at SCO meeting

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday that durable peace and stability in the region can only be achieved by eliminating the threat of terrorism emanating from neighbouring Afghanistan.

“Durable peace, stability and economic development can only be achieved with the eradication of the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil,” he said while speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

“We hope the SCO will call upon the Afghan Taliban regime to honour its counter-terrorism commitments to the international community and fulfil its responsibilities towards global peace and security.”

During his remarks, Dar said that since its establishment, the SCO has become “an anchor for regional cooperation, driving vital progress in peace, security, stability and economic connectivity while also simultaneously fostering deep cultural exchanges among member states“.

He said that over the last 25 years, the SCO had transitioned from a security-centric Shanghai Five to a “comprehensive entity that integrates security, economy, development, culture and peace among others”.

Dar meets Kyrgyz president, China’s foreign minister

Separately, Dar also met Kyrgyz Republic President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Regarding the meeting with Wang, the Foreign Office (FO) said, “The two leaders held a warm and productive exchange of views on bilateral relations, regional developments, and cooperation within multilateral forums.”

It said Dar thanked Wang for “appreciating Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for regional peace and stability”. It added that Wang conveyed his best wishes to Pakistan for its upcoming chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) and hosting of the SCO Summit in 2027.

Dar also called on Kyrgyz Republic President Zhaparov along with the foreign ministers of other SCO states.

The FO said Dar thanked Zhaparov for the hospitality extended during the SCO meeting.

“The interaction covered regional and global developments, as well as the evolving role of the SCO as an important platform for cooperation,” it said.

DPM Dar also underscored “the importance of continued collaboration among SCO member states as Pakistan prepares to assume the SCO chairmanship for 2026–27.”

Initially formed as a security cooperation group in 2001, the SCO has now evolved into a forum for trade and economic development in the region.

The SCO comprises 10 member states, namely India, Iran, China, Pakistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The two observer states are Afghanistan and Mongolia.

Earlier this month, President Asif Ali Zardari and Kyrgyzstan’s Zhaparov reaffirmed their commitment to boosting bilateral ties between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan, particularly deepening trade, economic and investment cooperation.