DUSHANBE: Pakistan and Tajikistan have reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, energy, connectivity, defence and culture, as well as promoting people-to-people exchanges.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Tajikistan’s Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda in Dushanbe, the Foreign Office said in a statement on Monday.
Ishaq Dar thanked the Prime Minister for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation and appreciated the arrangements for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting, the FO said.
Deputy PM Dar also congratulated Tajikistan on the 35th anniversary of its independence.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 called on the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E. Mr. Qohir Rasulzoda, in Dushanbe.
The DPM/FM thanked the Prime Minister for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation and appreciated the arrangements for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting. He also congratulated Tajikistan on the 35th anniversary of its independence.
The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, energy, connectivity, defence and culture, as well as promoting people-to-people exchanges. They also underscored the importance of cooperation on climate change and water security.
Highlighting Pakistan’s expertise in disaster management, the DPM/FM underscored the potential for cooperation with Tajikistan through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Discussing regional developments, the Prime Minister of Tajikistan appreciated Pakistan’s mediation efforts in the US–Iran conflict. The DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with Tajikistan to promote peace and advance regional economic integration.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 19, 2026
“They also underscored the importance of cooperation on climate change and water security,” the statement said.
Highlighting Pakistan’s expertise in disaster management, Ishaq Dar underscored the potential for cooperation with Tajikistan through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
They also exchanged views on regional developments. The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with Tajikistan to promote regional peace and deeper economic integration.
Dar arrives in Tajikistan to attend SCO moot
Earlier, Ishaq Dar arrived in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on Monday to lead Pakistan’s delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting.
He was received by Tajikistan’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources and Co-Chair of the Joint Commission, Daler Juma, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan, Irfan Ahmed, and national coordinator for the SCO, Khalil Hashmi, along with senior Tajik government officials, a Foreign Office statement said.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 arrived in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to lead Pakistan’s delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting, being held on 19–20 October 2026.
Upon arrival, the DPM/FM was received by Tajikistan’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources and Co-Chair of the Pakistan–Tajikistan Joint Commission, Mr. Daler Juma, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan, Irfan Ahmed, and Pakistan’s National Coordinator for the SCO, Khalil Hashmi, along with senior Tajik government officials.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 19, 2026
Dar is visiting Dushanbe at the invitation of Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting, scheduled for October 19-20, according to the Foreign Office (FO).
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Besides participating in the CHG proceedings, Dar will meet Tajikistan’s leadership and his counterparts from SCO member states on the sidelines.
The CHG is the SCO’s second-highest decision-making body, responsible for providing guidance on economic, financial, trade, connectivity and socio-economic cooperation, as well as overseeing the organisation’s budgetary matters, the FO said.
Pakistan assumed SCO Chairmanship in September 2026
Pakistan assumed the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) for 2027 during the organisation’s annual summit in Kyrgyzstan in September.
The country hosted the first meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of National Coordinators (CNC) in Islamabad from 28–30 September 2026 that concluded with a reaffirmation of commitment to the organisation’s goals and to advancing its objectives through continued engagement and practical cooperation.
During the three-day meeting, the National Coordinators reviewed the programme of planned activities, took stock of the progress on key initiatives, and discussed preparations for forthcoming SCO meetings and events, the Foreign Office said in a statement.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange views on strengthening the coordination among member states and ensuring effective implementation of the country’s chairmanship priorities, in line with its theme, “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity.”
On October 1, Dar chaired a follow-up meeting to review preparations for the SCO CHS summit, which Islamabad is set to host in 2027.
In July, islamabad hosted the 12th meeting of the SCO Heads of Border Services of the Competent Authorities. Islamabad also chairs the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO-RATS), a position it assumed in September last year.
The country last hosted the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting in Islamabad in October 2024.
