PM Shehbaz signs SCO summit declaration as Pakistan assumes council chair

Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) signed the summit’s joint declaration in Bishkek on Tuesday as Pakistan formally assumed the council’s chairmanship for 2026-27. Pakistan will lead the SCO Council of Heads of State through the 2026-27 term as the organisation continues to focus on regional cooperation, connectivity, security and economic ties.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting alongside leaders of other member states and signed the declaration on Pakistan’s behalf. A signing ceremony followed the leaders’ endorsement of the document, marking the formal conclusion of the summit’s proceedings.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov received PM Shehbaz upon his arrival at the main summit hall.

Earlier today, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, in Bishkek ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said Tuesday.

The two sides discussed the June 2026 Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with both ministers agreeing that sincere implementation of the agreement by both parties to the dispute was the only way forward.

Dar emphasised that dialogue and diplomacy were essential for promoting peace and stability in the region. The two foreign ministers also discussed bilateral relations and the regional situation, while agreeing on the importance of maintaining regular communication.

PM Shehbaz meets Pezeshkian

Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also discussed regional developments, bilateral relations and implementation of the Islamabad MOU during a meeting on the sidelines of SCO.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Iran ties and emphasised implementing agreements reached during Pezeshkian’s June visit to Pakistan.

Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to promoting peace and de-escalation in the region, highlighting the recent visit of Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to Tehran. He said Munir’s “constructive engagements” were expected to contribute to positive outcomes.

The prime minister stressed that restraint, tolerance and sustained diplomacy were essential for lasting regional stability. He also called continued dialogue under the Islamabad MoU the “only viable way” towards durable peace.

The MoU, signed in June as part of diplomatic efforts involving Pakistan, Iran and the United States, has since been the focus of Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate dialogue and prevent further escalation.

Pezeshkian welcomed Pakistan’s diplomatic role and described Pakistan-Iran relations as rooted in shared history, culture and religion. He expressed Tehran’s interest in expanding cooperation and called for greater unity among Muslim countries.

The leaders also discussed regional connectivity and people-to-people contacts. Sharif invited Pezeshkian to visit Pakistan, while Pezeshkian invited him to the Economic Cooperation Organisation summit in Tehran in December 2026.