Deputy Prime Minister will meet Tajikistan’s leadership and SCO counterparts as member states discuss trade, finance and regional connectivity.
DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Dushanbe on Monday to lead the country’s delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting scheduled for October 19–20.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Dar will participate in the meeting’s proceedings and hold bilateral discussions with Tajikistan’s leadership and counterparts from other SCO member states.
The visit follows an invitation from Tajikistan Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda.
SCO meeting to discuss trade and regional connectivity
The Council of Heads of Government is the SCO’s second-highest decision-making body. Its responsibilities include discussions on economic cooperation, finance, trade, commerce, connectivity, socioeconomic development and the organisation’s budget.
Member states are expected to adopt a joint communiqué, statements and other decisions during the two-day meeting.
The gathering provides an opportunity for participating countries to discuss shared economic priorities and strengthen cooperation across the region.
Dar to meet Tajikistan’s leadership
During his visit, Dar is scheduled to call on Tajikistan’s president and prime minister. He will also hold bilateral meetings with representatives of other SCO member states on the sidelines of the gathering, the Foreign Office said.
These engagements provide an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations and areas of mutual interest, although specific agreements arising from the meetings had not been confirmed in the initial announcement.
Regional representation at the meeting
The prime ministers of Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are expected to represent their countries at the meeting. Iran’s vice president and India’s external affairs minister will also attend, according to the Foreign Office.
The participation of senior representatives from across the region places economic cooperation and regional engagement at the centre of the discussions.
Pakistan’s role in the SCO
Pakistan is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a regional grouping that promotes cooperation in areas including trade, security, transport and economic development.
The organisation’s meetings provide a forum for member states to discuss common priorities and coordinate positions on regional issues.
Pakistan is also preparing to host the SCO Council of Heads of State summit in Islamabad in 2027. The government has been reviewing preparations for that event, which is expected to provide another opportunity for engagement with member countries.
