Dar urges SCO action against Afghan terrorism

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has called on member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to strengthen

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has called on member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to strengthen regional cooperation against terrorism, saying lasting peace and economic development cannot be achieved unless militant groups operating from Afghan territory are effectively eliminated.

Addressing the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting, Dar said Pakistan remains committed to regional peace and wants to see Afghanistan emerge as a peaceful, stable, regionally connected and economically prosperous country. He said a secure Afghanistan would benefit not only Pakistan but all SCO member states and the wider region.

The foreign minister described terrorism originating from Afghan territory as one of the most serious security challenges facing Pakistan. He said militant organisations continue to use Afghan soil for recruitment, training and planning attacks, creating persistent threats to regional stability.

Dar said Pakistan has suffered heavily from terrorism in recent years. According to him, more than 560 Pakistanis have lost their lives in over 2,000 terrorist incidents since the beginning of this year. He added that investigations into several attacks had also identified the involvement of Afghan nationals.

He urged the SCO to play a more active role in addressing the security situation and called on the Afghan authorities to honour their international commitments against terrorism. He stressed that no country’s territory should be allowed to serve as a base for militant activities targeting neighbouring states.

Speaking about the SCO, Dar said the organisation has developed into one of the region’s most important platforms for cooperation over the past 25 years. He noted that it now promotes collaboration not only in security but also in trade, economic development, connectivity, culture and regional stability.

Looking ahead, Dar said the organisation should place greater emphasis on digital development, technological cooperation, innovation and energy security to meet future regional challenges and promote sustainable economic growth among member states.

Turning to the Middle East, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s position that dialogue, diplomacy and mutual respect remain the only effective means of resolving international disputes. He said peaceful negotiations are essential for achieving lasting regional peace and preventing further conflict.

He also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran. Dar said Pakistan played an important role in encouraging direct engagement between the two countries, leading to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding earlier this year. He described the agreement as a significant diplomatic achievement and encouraged the international community to build on the progress made through continued negotiations.

On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, Dar held separate meetings with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing regional cooperation and expanding collaboration through multilateral organisations.

During his meeting with Wang Yi, both leaders reviewed Pakistan-China relations and exchanged views on regional developments. The Chinese foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and extended best wishes for Pakistan’s upcoming chairmanship of the SCO for 2026-27.