- Zoya Anwer
- September 30, 2026
Dar reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to inclusive SCO chairmanship, practical outcomes
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- WEB DESK
- September 30, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to an open, inclusive and constructive chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), guided by the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation and common development.
Dar made the remarks while addressing national coordinators of SCO member states, along with senior representatives of the SCO Secretariat and the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.
Welcoming the national coordinators to the first meeting of the Council of National Coordinators under Pakistan’s chairmanship, the deputy prime minister said Pakistan would seek to translate the organisation’s shared vision into practical cooperation and tangible outcomes.
He underlined the theme of Pakistan’s 2026–27 SCO chairmanship: “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation, and Shared Prosperity.”
Dar also highlighted preparations for the SCO Council of Heads of State summit, which Pakistan is scheduled to host in Islamabad in August 2027, and called for close coordination among member states to ensure a successful chairmanship.
Pakistan assumed the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026–27 at the organisation’s summit in Bishkek earlier this month. The Foreign Office has said Islamabad’s priorities include greater connectivity, innovation, economic cooperation and stronger people-to-people contacts.
The first meeting of the Council of National Coordinators was held in Islamabad from September 28 to 30, with participants discussing SCO cooperation, the programme of activities under Pakistan’s chairmanship and preparations for upcoming high-level meetings and events.
India’s SCO National Coordinator Alok Amitabh Dimri is also participating in the meeting of the organisation’s national coordinators in Islamabad.
The foreign minister expressed satisfaction with the preparations under way and directed all concerned departments to ensure close coordination and timely completion of arrangements in line with agreed timelines.
Meanwhile, Dimri is leading the Indian delegation at the first meeting of the SCO Council of National Coordinators being held in Islamabad from September 28 to 30.
Alok Dimri said that he was visiting Pakistan for the first time and expressed hope that the organisation would make further progress through greater cooperation among member states.
Speaking on the sidelines of the SCO Council of National Coordinators meeting in Islamabad, Dimri said he was pleased to be attending the annual meeting in Pakistan.
“I have come to Pakistan for the first time,” he said, adding that he hoped the SCO platform would improve further and member states would continue moving forward.
Dimri said he was interested in visiting Lahore, Sialkot and Faisalabad during his stay in Pakistan.
“Lahore has also been designated as an SCO cultural city,” he said, expressing hope that he would have the opportunity to see more of the country and interact with people.
The Indian coordinator said SCO activities would continue throughout the year, providing opportunities for member states to strengthen cooperation.
He said connectivity was an important issue discussed at the meeting, with participants exchanging views on trade and connectivity in the region.
“We raised the important issue of connectivity. We discussed trade and connectivity in the region,” Dimri said.
He added that the national coordinators had discussed an agenda focused on development, welfare and improvement within the SCO framework.
The three-day meeting is discussing SCO cooperation and coordination, the programme of activities under Pakistan’s chairmanship and preparations for upcoming meetings and events, including the 2027 summit.
Remarks of National Coordinator SCO of India on the Sidelines of the Meeting of National Coordinators of SCO in Islamabad (28-30 September) pic.twitter.com/KidWsvM1w1
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 30, 2026
Dimri is on his first official visit to Pakistan in his capacity as India’s SCO National Coordinator. The Indian delegation’s participation comes as Pakistan holds the SCO Council of Heads of State chairmanship for 2026–27.
The meeting marks an important engagement under Pakistan’s SCO chairmanship, with Islamabad scheduled to host the Council of Heads of State Summit in August 2027.
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