ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has called upon the international community to seize the opportunity provided by the Islamabad MoU and the ongoing technical negotiations to push for a permanent, peaceful and durable settlement of the Iran-US conflict.
Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic on Friday, he said Pakistan firmly believes that dialogue, diplomacy and mutual respect provide the only sustainable way forward to resolve conflicts and achieve durable peace and security.
He noted Pakistan facilitated and hosted the Islamabad Talks between Iran and the United States on 10-11 April 2026, enabling the first high-level direct diplomatic contacts between the two sides after 47 years.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 participated in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in the beautiful city of Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic. He thanked the Kyrgyz leadership and Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev for their… pic.twitter.com/2nzKNAJLjD
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 24, 2026
“The diplomatic process, thus initiated, culminated in the signing of the Islamabad MoU, in June 2026,” Dar said.
He went on to say this historic breakthrough became possible as a result of Pakistan’s close engagement with the two parties, the United States and Iran, complemented by Islamabad’s intensive diplomatic outreach to regional and international partners.
Ishaq Dar added Pakistan deeply appreciates the trust and confidence reposed in it by both Iran and the US in undertaking this challenging responsibility, in the larger interest of peace and security,” he said.
“At the same time, we must remain vigilant against those who seek to undermine regional stability. Such actors will exploit every opportunity to derail the peace process and reverse the progress achieved,” he warned.
Video of the statement by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic (24 July 2026) pic.twitter.com/x1k6jgTxXB
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 24, 2026
Pakistan seeks peaceful, stable, regionally integrated Afghanistan
On Afghanistan, Dar reiterated that Pakistan seeks a peaceful, stable, regionally integrated, and prosperous Afghanistan that is at peace with itself and its neighbours, describing such an outcome as being in the shared interest of all SCO member states.
He said terrorism emanating from Afghan territory remains one of the most serious security challenges facing the region, alleging that groups including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), and other affiliated organisations continue to recruit, train, and operate from Afghan soil under the watch and facilitation of the Afghan Taliban.
Dar said these concerns have been documented by the UN Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team.
TTP terrorists continue to launch attacks against Pakistani from Afghanistan
Highlighting Pakistan’s security situation, Dar said TTP terrorists have continued to launch attacks against Pakistani security forces and civilians from bases inside Afghanistan.
He stated that more than 560 Pakistanis had been killed in over 2,000 terrorist incidents this year, adding that Afghan nationals had also been found to be involved in some of the attacks.
He stressed that lasting peace, stability, and economic development in the region would only be possible through the elimination of terrorism originating from Afghan soil and expressed hope that the SCO would call on the Afghan Taliban to fulfil its counterterrorism commitments and responsibilities toward regional and international peace and security.
Dar reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to Shanghai Spirit
Ishaq Dar in his speech reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the “Shanghai Spirit” and to advancing cooperation, connectivity and shared growth among SCO Member States.
He added Pakistan’s journey within the SCO, from an observer in 2005, to attaining full membership in 2017, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to multilateralism.
“Our vision is to transform the SCO region into one of peace and sustainable development where the right to Development is viewed as an integral human right,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
He said Pakistan look forward to assuming the Chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of States (CHS) in September this year,and hosting the Summit in Pakistan in 2027.
Also Read: Pakistan to Assume Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Chairmanship in September
CPEC a model for trans-regional connectivity
Ishaq Dar said Pakistan’s geostrategic location serves as the natural gateway for Central Asia, to the warm waters of the Arabian Sea.
“The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), stands as a model for trans-regional connectivity, unlocking landlocked Central Asian states, an efficient access to global markets via Gwadar Port. It is a platform for broader regional integration,” said the foreign minister.
Since becoming a full member in 2017, Pakistan has steadily strengthened its engagement within the organisation. It successfully hosted the SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting in Islamabad in 2024 and is currently holding the chairmanship of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) for 2025-26.
Pakistan has also played an active role within the organisation, including hosting the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad in October 2024. The country is currently chairing the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure for the 2025-26 term.
Ishaq Dar arrived in the Kyrgyz Republic on Thursday after attending the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Manila, Philippines.
During his visit, the Deputy Prime Minister will call on the President of the Kyrgyz Republic and hold many bilateral meetings with his counterparts from SCO member states on the sidelines of the CFM meeting.
