SCO Monitoring Desk Islamabad by Editor Tazeen Akhtar
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar represented Pakistan at the 25th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) held in Dushanbe on 20 October 2026, chaired by Prime Minister of Tajikistan Qohir Rasulzoda.
Addressing the narrow format session, DPM Dar appreciated the warm hospitality of the Government and people of Tajikistan and said the SCO has remained anchored in the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust and respect for diversity over the past twenty-five years, expanding its mandate to trade, infrastructure, culture and innovation.
Highlighting Pakistan’s active role, Dar said Pakistan hosted the CHG meeting in Islamabad in 2024, successfully concluded the chairmanship of the SCO Anti-Terrorism Structure this year, and as Chair of the SCO Working Group on Poverty Alleviation, will this year highlight the role of SMEs in reducing poverty.
Connectivity and CPEC
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that targeted investments in energy and transport are vital for seamless economic integration. He advocated for expanding investments into high-potential sectors including agriculture, mining and minerals, and information technology.”CPEC offers every SCO partner a compelling opportunity to participate in and accelerate our shared journey toward comprehensive economic integration,” Dar said.
He said Pakistan believes that Artificial Intelligence, digital transformation, innovation, energy cooperation and international information security should become important pillars of future SCO cooperation.
Pakistan’s Vision as SCO Chair
Unveiling Pakistan’s vision for its SCO Chairmanship under the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity”, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s five priority areas were outlined:
i. Peace, Security and Mutual Trust
ii. Regional Connectivity and Trade
iii. Innovation, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation
iv. Climate Resilience and Sustainable Energy
v. People-to-People Exchanges
Dar said strategic investment in transport and energy infrastructure is imperative for true regional integration. He reiterated the need to accelerate use of national currencies for mutual settlement and to establish SCO Development Bank, SCO Development Fund and an Investment Fund to offset international financial shocks.
He said protectionist policies and unilateral coercive measures contradict principles of international law, suppress economic growth and increase inequality, and therefore reform of global financial architecture and trade regimes is essential.
Afghanistan
On regional security, Dar said sustainable economic development cannot be guaranteed without durable peace and stability.”Ensuring stability in Afghanistan is imperative for safeguarding peace and stability of our region. Pakistan continues to be desirous of a peaceful, stable, regionally integrated and prosperous Afghanistan, which is at peace with itself and its neighbours.”
He added: “In return, Pakistan has only one expectation from the Afghan Taliban regime: that Afghan territory should not be used for terrorism against Pakistan and the world.”
Conclusion
Dar congratulated the Government of Tajikistan, SCO Secretary General Nurlan Yermekbayev and Director of SCO RATS Executive Committee Ularbek Sharsheyev on successful completion of the CHG meeting and commended National Coordinators and experts for finalizing the Joint Communiqué and decisions.
He said the fundamental strength of SCO is anchored in shared future that members collectively forge, and Pakistan stands resolute to serve as an active architect of this shared destiny.
The Deputy Prime Minister congratulated the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan for taking over the Chair of SCO-CHG for 2026-27 and announced that Pakistan looks forward to warmly welcoming Heads of State of the SCO family to the CHS Summit in Islamabad in August next year.
Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 at the SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting, Dushanbe
(Narrow Format- 20 October 2026)
1. It is indeed my privilege to participate on behalf of Pakistan in the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe. I extend my sincere appreciation to my brother Qohir Rasulzoda, theHonorable Prime Minister, the Government and the people of Tajikistan for their warm and generous hospitality.
2. Over the past twenty-five years, the SCO has remained anchored in the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust and respect for diversity and expanded its mandate to encompass trade, infrastructure, culture, and innovation.
3. Pakistan’s journey within the SCO highlights our commitment to the Shanghai Spirit. Pakistan hosted the Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad in 2024. We successfully concluded the chairmanship of the SCO Anti-Terrorism Structure this year. As Chair of the SCO Working Group on Poverty Alleviation, we share our experiences and learn from those of others. This year we intend to highlight the role of Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in reducing poverty.
4. For our region to achieve seamless economic integration, targeted investments in core sectors – most notably in energy and transport – are vital. In parallel, Pakistan strongly advocates for expanding investments into high-potential industries, including agriculture, mining and minerals, and information technology, to build a resilient and interconnected economic future for all our nations.
5. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) offers every SCO partner a compelling opportunity to participate in and accelerate our shared journey toward comprehensive economic integration.
6. Pakistan also believes that Artificial Intelligence, digital transformation, innovation, energy cooperation and international information security should become important pillars of future cooperation within the SCO.
7. With these priorities in mind, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif unveiled Pakistan’s vision for its SCO Chairmanship under the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity”. We have identified the following priority areas:
i. Peace, Security and Mutual Trust
ii. Regional Connectivity and Trade
iii. Innovation, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation
iv. Climate Resilience and Sustainable Energy
v. People-to-People Exchanges
First Meeting of SCO Council of National Coordinators (CNC), under Chairmanship of Pakistan
8. We firmly believe that strategic investment in transport and energy infrastructure is not merely beneficial – it is imperative for true regional economic integration.
9. We reiterate the need to accelerate efforts to promote the use of national currencies for mutual settlement and establishing the SCO Development Bank, SCO Development Fund and an Investment Fund. Such tools and measures will advance development initiatives and help the SCO region to offset international financial shocks.
10. Protectionist policies and unilateral coercive measures contradict the principles of international law. These suppress economic growth, block technological progress and increase inequality. Therefore, reform of the global financial architecture and trade regimes is essential for achieving equitable global development.
11. Sustainable economic development cannot be guaranteed without durable peace and security in the region. Ensuring stability in Afghanistan is imperative for safeguarding the peace and stability of our region. Pakistan continues to be desirous of a peaceful, stable, regionally integrated and prosperous Afghanistan, which is at peace with itself and its neighbours. We have made sincere efforts to support Afghanistan’s development and the well-being of its people.
12. In return, Pakistan has only one expectation from the Afghan Taliban regime: that Afghan territory should not be used for terrorism against Pakistan and the world.
13. Pakistan remains committed to a peaceful and stable neighbourhood as an essential foundation for regional development and prosperity.
14. I wish to congratulate, once again, the Government of Tajikistan as well as the heads of SCO’s permanent bodies, Secretary General SCO Nurlan Yermekbayev and Director (SCO RATS) UlarbekSharsheyev, on the successful completion of the CHG meeting this year.
15. I also commend the hard work of National Coordinators and all experts working through various SCO mechanisms, who helped finalise the documents and decisions that will be adopted today. The Joint Communiqué and statements are reflective of our joint aspirations and commitments. I hope these will be finalised today.
16. The fundamental strength of the SCO is anchored not only in our deeply intertwined histories, but more importantly, in the resilient, shared future that we collectively choose to forge. Pakistan stands resolute in its commitment to serve as an active architect of this shared destiny, and to shape the next decade of Eurasian connectivity and economic prosperity.
17. My heartfelt congratulations to H.E. PM of Uzbekistan for taking over the chair of SCO-CHG for 2026–27. Pakistan looks forward to warmly welcoming in Islamabad the Heads of State of the SCO family and their delegations to the CHS Summit in August next year.
