SCO reaffirmed dedication to multilateralism, regional stability: Dar

BEINJING/TIANJIN: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday the SCO foreign ministers reaffirmed their “shared commitment to multilateralism, mutual respect, and regional stability”.

Dar, who is in China to attend the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, also highlighted the “Shanghai Spirit” in a post shared on X.

“The Shanghai Spirit continues to guide us towards dialogue, mutual trust, and the pursuit of a more just and inclusive international order,” he added.

At the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting today, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to multilateralism, mutual respect, and regional stability. The Shanghai Spirit continues to guide us towards dialogue, mutual trust, and the pursuit of a more just and inclusive… pic.twitter.com/BndkFeQ4J6

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) July 15, 2025

NON-INTERFERENCE AND TERRORISM

In his address, Dar said Pakistan was against aggression and stood for non-interference as well as resolving the long-standing disputes through peaceful means.

The deputy prime minister condemned the Israeli aggression in Gaza and against Iran.

He said wanted implementation of the two-state solution to solve the decades-old Palestine issue, condemning the attempts to change the status of Palestinians territories.

Citing the recent Indian aggression, Dar said addressing the disputes was essential to ensure sustainable peace in South Asia.

Reiterating Islamabad’s desire for peace in the region, he told the gathering of top diplomats that the SCO region required a peaceful Afghanistan.

However, he again raised the issue of terrorism which, he said, was a threat to entire world and common challenge to the humanity.

Later, Dar signed the SCO documents on behalf of Pakistan.

ADVANCING SHARED REGIONAL GOALS

Earlier, Dar, who is also the foreign minister, met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People and said, “As iron-clad brothers and All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners, we remain committed to deepening Pak-China enduring friendship and advancing shared regional goals.”

UNWAVERING SOLIDARITY

On the other hand, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unwavering solidarity” with the people and government of Iran, during an interaction with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

“Both leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation across diverse areas and discussed the evolving regional situation following the recent Israeli aggression against Iran,” says the Foreign Office.

Sharing his views, Dar also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability, emphasising that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to de-escalation and lasting peace.

PAKISTAN + RUSSIA

Separately, the Foreign Office said Dar and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed to further enhance cooperation between Pakistan and Russia in trade, energy, agriculture, and defence.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, as they expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral ties.

Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, today met Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the SCO CFM in Tianjin, China.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral ties and agreed… pic.twitter.com/2FcTFttOG3

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 15, 2025

On the occasion, Dar invited his Russian counterpart to visit Pakistan.

It’s a developing story. Details to follow