Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional stability, multilateral cooperation, and the peaceful resolution of disputes during his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin.

In his speech, Dar highlighted the SCO’s crucial role as a stabilising force in a world grappling with profound geopolitical challenges.

He praised China’s leadership in advancing the organisation’s agenda and welcomed Belarus as the newest full member.

Dar strongly condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza, describing them as a “reckless disregard for international norms,” which have led to a severe humanitarian crisis.

Referring to the situation in Gaza, he called for an immediate ceasefire and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

The foreign minister also condemned the recent attacks on Iran, including US strikes on nuclear facilities, labelling such actions against SCO member states as “unacceptable”.

Expressing concern over recent escalations in South Asia, Dar referenced the Pahalgam attack allegations that brought Pakistan and a neighbouring nuclear-armed state to the brink of conflict.

He emphasised that disputes should be resolved through dialogue, not coercion, and called for structured talks to address long-standing issues.

“Pakistan remains committed to ceasefire agreements and regional stability, but we cannot accept the normalisation of arbitrary force,” he stated.

Dar advocated for institutional reforms within the SCO, including the adoption of English as a third official language and the strengthening of the secretariat’s capabilities.

He also emphasised the need for enhanced economic cooperation, proposing the increased use of national currencies to mitigate global financial shocks and supporting the creation of an alternative development funding mechanism.

Dar highlighted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship Belt and Road Initiative project, as essential for regional connectivity and shared prosperity.

The deputy prime minister called for renewed engagement with Afghanistan through the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group and stressed the importance of a unified approach to counterterrorism, rejecting its exploitation for political gains.

He also flagged climate change as a critical challenge that requires collective action.

In his concluding remarks, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust and cooperation, urging member states to shape a future “defined not by confrontation, but by collaboration”.