ISLAMABAD / Tianjin – China : Monitoring Desk – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Mr. Mohammad Ishaq Dar, emphasizing the resolution of longstanding disputes through dialogue has expressed serious concern at the trends of using aggression as a tool of policy.
He condemned Israeli and US attacks on member state Iran as illegal. He apprised the members of legal transgressions, rhetorical belligerence, and strategic recklessness of India soon after Pehalgam false flag and imposing war on Pakistan.
DPM/ FM Dar was addressing the Meeting of SCO Council of Foreign Ministers 15 July 2025–Tianjin–China. He called upon the participants , “Together, let us chart a course towards a future defined not by confrontation but by cooperation.”
He appreciated China’s deep-rooted commitment to multilateralism and its role in strengthening SCO as the Chair this year. He congratulated as well as welcomed the Republic of Belarus on taking part in today’s meeting as full member of SCO.
Here are the main points of the address of DPM/ FM Pakistan ;
1- Reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the ‘Shanghai Spirit’ and to advancing initiatives aimed at enhancing regional connectivity, shared prosperity, sustainable development, and durable peace, with a view to realizing the region’s collective potential.
2-Underscored the importance of upholding international law, implementing relevant UNSC resolutions to resolve longstanding disputes, and avoiding confrontational politics and double standards.
3-Expressed that Pakistan seeks relationship of peace with all its neighbours.
4-Welcomed Belarus as the newest member of the SCO family.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Mr. Mohammad Ishaq Dar’s address:
At a time when the global order is experiencing profound challenges, SCO has emerged as a stabilizing force. Its inclusive approach underscoring the sovereign equality of states and seeking peaceful resolutions to disputes, offers a compelling alternative to aggression, confrontation and zero-sum rivalries. The SCO’s commitment to consensus, development, and mutual respect is a beacon of hope for building a better and equitable world.
Pakistan reaffirms our adherence to the goals and principles of Charters of the UN, the SCO and other universally recognized principles and norms of international law. Pakistan values the SCO as a platform of immense political, strategic and economic importance.
In our pursuit to peace and security, we believe in non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs; non-use of force or threat of its use in international relations, as well as seeking no unilateral military superiority in the region.
Pakistan emphasizes on resolution of longstanding disputes through peaceful means, dialogue, diplomacy and according to the principles of international law, justice and fairness.
ISRAEL USA
We have strongly condemned the unjustified and illegitimate aggression by Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran and the US strikes on its nuclear facilities. Such illegal actions directed against SCO member States are unacceptable.
Israel has shown a reckless disregard for international norms and humanity through its relentless and disproportionate use of force in Gaza resulting in the death of tens of thousands of civilians causing the worst humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
He called for immediate halt to Israel’s atrocities. The only viable remedy to Palestine dispute is the realization of two-State solution which includes the establishment of Palestine as a viable, secure and contiguous State on the basis of pre-1967 borders with Al Quds as its capital.
Unilateral and illegal measures to change the status of disputed territories in violation of UN Security Council resolutions must be strongly condemned and opposed by all.
INDIA
Pakistan seeks a relationship of peace and stability with all its neighbors. However, the last three months witnessed extremely disturbing developments in South Asia. It is most unfortunate that the attribution of the Pahalgam Attack to Pakistan – without a credible investigation or verifiable evidence –brought the two nuclear-armed states to the brink of a major conflict. In the wake of mounting tensions, Pakistan’s restrained and responsible approach was met with legal transgressions, rhetorical belligerence, and strategic recklessness.
Today, Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to the ceasefire and the cultivation of a stable regional equilibrium. However, we cannot accept that the arbitrary use of force is normalized. We believe that disputes and differences are resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, instead of conflict and coercion.
In that backdrop, initiation of a comprehensive and structured dialogue can meaningfully address the full spectrum of issues that have long bedeviled the peace and security in South Asia. Strict adherence to bilateral agreements would be equally important in this regard.
The events unfolding since 22 April 2025 also reaffirm a central truth of South Asian geopolitics: the peaceful settlement of the longstanding unresolved disputes is imperative for an enduring peace in the region.
SCO Influence
SCO’s increasing influence is confirmed by its growing appeal among countries who want to join as Members, Observers or Dialogue Partners.
Recognizing the need to strengthen SCO structures in line with contemporary requirements and evolving challenges, Pakistan supports the ongoing modernization process and remains constructively engaged in its advancement. The establishment of four new Centers dealing with various aspects of security would strengthen cooperation among SCO countries.
In the context of reforms, we must also decide English as the third official and working language and strengthen the capacity and role of the Secretariat to enhance the efficiency of our Organization.
Afghanistan
Enduring peace and stability in Afghanistan constitute a cornerstone of our shared aspiration. In this context, the revival of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group could serve as a valuable platform for pragmatic and results-oriented cooperation.
Terrorism is the common concern of humanity that threatens the global security. All forms of terrorism including state terrorism are condemnable. We must shun the use of terrorism for political purposes and combat this menace through a cooperative approach including addressing its root causes.
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
SCO is a vital platform for realizing the benefits of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project of BRI, not only supplements SCO’s vision of regional connectivity and economic integration but also complements our common objective of shared development and prosperity.
We need to take concrete steps within existing SCO’s mechanisms for trade and development and promote the use of national currencies for mutual settlement within SCO region to avoid international financial shocks. We support the proposal to create SCO alternative development funding mechanism to give needed impetus to various stalled development initiatives.
Poverty Alleviation
As the permanent chair of the SCO’s Special Working Group dedicated to combating poverty, Pakistan is fully committed to providing the necessary momentum to our collaborative endeavors to address poverty. We must also collectively address the existential threat of climate change.
He commended the National Coordinators and the experts for their diligent work and dedication, which has culminated in the finalization of the documents and decisions set for adoption and signature today. He said, “My commendation goes for the impressive work by the Secretariat under the dynamic leadership of Secretary-General, Mr. Nurlan Yermekbaev.”
Finally, DPM reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working together to promote and strengthen SCO as an effective forum for regional development in line with the laudable values of “Shanghai Spirit” for achieving our common objectives of peace, prosperity, stability and connectivity of the SCO region.
