DUSHANBE, 20 October, 2026 (Ghufran): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has urged Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to strengthen regional economic integration, expand the use of national currencies in cross-border settlements and establish new financial institutions to safeguard the region against global economic shocks. Addressing the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on Tuesday, Dar stressed the need for stronger regional connectivity, increased investment and cooperation in emerging technologies. He called for accelerating efforts to establish the SCO Development Bank, SCO Development Fund and SCO Investment Fund, saying these mechanisms could support development initiatives and strengthen the region’s resilience against international financial disruptions. Dar highlighted the potential of the SCO region to become a major centre of global economic growth and underscored the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in promoting regional economic integration. He said investment in key sectors, particularly energy and transport, was essential for improving connectivity and strengthening economic ties among member states. Criticising protectionist policies and unilateral coercive measures, he called for reforms to the global financial architecture and trade regimes to promote equitable and sustainable development. The deputy prime minister said Pakistan supported investment in agriculture, mining, minerals and information technology, while identifying artificial intelligence, digital transformation, innovation, energy cooperation and international information security as important areas for future collaboration. He also outlined the priorities for the SCO Council of Heads of State summit that Pakistan is scheduled to host in 2027, including peace and security, mutual trust, regional connectivity, trade, innovation, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, sustainable energy and people-to-people exchanges.
Dar highlighted Pakistan’s engagement with the organisation, including its chairmanship of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure and the SCO Working Group on Poverty Alleviation, where Pakistan intends to promote the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in reducing poverty. Addressing regional security concerns, Dar raised the issue of cross-border terrorism originating from Afghanistan and stressed that sustainable economic development required lasting peace and security. He said Pakistan wanted Afghanistan to be peaceful, stable, prosperous and regionally integrated, maintaining constructive relations with its neighbours. He reiterated Islamabad’s expectation that Afghan territory should not be used for terrorist activities against Pakistan or any other country. Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban authorities to dismantle militant sanctuaries on Afghan soil, particularly those linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful and stable neighbourhood as the foundation for regional development and prosperity. Earlier, Dar called on Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon alongside other heads of delegations, while Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda welcomed the visiting leaders. Dar also held meetings with Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Mongolia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Jadambyn Enkhbayar on the sidelines of the gathering. The SCO comprises 10 member states: Pakistan, China, India, Iran, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, while Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status. Pakistan, which hosted the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in October 2024, is scheduled to host the SCO Council of Heads of State summit in 2027 after assuming the organisation’s chairmanship last month.