Tianjin, China, July 15,2025: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to regional stability, multilateral cooperation, and peaceful dispute resolution during his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting held in Tianjin on Tuesday.
Speaking at the high-level forum, Dar emphasized the SCO’s critical role as a stabilizing force in an increasingly turbulent global landscape. He commended China’s leadership in advancing the organization’s strategic agenda and welcomed Belarus as the newest full member of the SCO.
Dar delivered a strong condemnation of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, describing them as a “reckless disregard for international norms” that has resulted in a deepening humanitarian catastrophe. He called for an immediate ceasefire and reiterated Pakistan’s principled support for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.
He also condemned recent attacks on Iran, including reported U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, labeling them “unacceptable” acts against a fellow SCO member state.
Addressing the volatile situation in South Asia, Dar voiced concern over the Pahalgam attack allegations that escalated tensions between Pakistan and a neighboring nuclear-armed country. He stressed the urgent need for structured dialogue and diplomatic engagement to resolve long-standing disputes, warning against the normalization of coercion and arbitrary force.
“Pakistan remains committed to ceasefire agreements and regional stability, but we cannot accept the normalization of arbitrary force,” Dar asserted.
Highlighting Pakistan’s strategic vision for the SCO, Dar called for institutional reforms, including the adoption of English as a third official language and strengthening the SCO Secretariat’s operational capabilities.
He also proposed enhanced economic cooperation, advocating for increased use of national currencies in trade to reduce reliance on external financial systems and cushion against global shocks. He supported the creation of an alternative development financing mechanism within the SCO framework.
Dar emphasized the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, describing it as a “vital engine” for regional connectivity and shared prosperity.
He also called for the revitalization of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group to engage constructively with Kabul, and urged member states to adopt a unified, apolitical approach to counterterrorism, explicitly opposing its misuse for political purposes.
Climate change, Dar noted, poses a shared existential threat, and he urged collective action to confront it head-on.
Concluding his address, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust, shared development, and win-win cooperation. He urged member states to pursue a future “defined not by confrontation, but by collaboration.”
