Ishaq Dar joins SCO leaders in Dushanbe as Rahmon pushes regional economic cooperation
DUSHANBE: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reached Tajikistan’s capital on Tuesday for the Ishaq Dar Dushanbe SCO meeting, where he was welcomed by Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda.
Dar leads Pakistan’s delegation at the two-day gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe. He travelled at Rasulzoda’s invitation, according to the Foreign Office.
During the visit, Dar called on Tajik President Emomali Rahmon along with the other heads of delegation attending the meeting. The Foreign Office said President Rahmon welcomed the leaders and stressed the need to strengthen regional economic cooperation under the SCO to promote connectivity, stability and shared prosperity, Dawn reported.
Bilateral meetings on the sidelines
The Dushanbe trip also included a round of bilateral engagements for Pakistan’s delegation. Dar met Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and Tajik Prime Minister Rasulzoda on the sidelines of the summit, Pakistan Observer reported.
In his meeting with Rasulzoda, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to deeper cooperation in trade, investment, energy, connectivity, defence and culture. They also discussed cooperation on climate change and water security, with Dar highlighting Pakistan’s disaster management expertise through the National Disaster Management Authority.
Dar congratulated Tajikistan on the 35th anniversary of its independence and thanked the Tajik side for its hospitality. Rasulzoda appreciated Pakistan’s mediation efforts in the US-Iran conflict, and the two sides agreed to promote people-to-people exchanges and work for regional peace and economic integration.
Why the Ishaq Dar Dushanbe SCO meeting matters
The Council of Heads of Government is the SCO’s second-highest decision-making body. It guides the bloc’s work on economic, financial, trade and connectivity cooperation, as well as its budgetary matters. This year’s session is the 25th meeting of the council, The Nation reported.
Pakistan has been deepening its role inside the organisation. It hosted a CHG meeting in Islamabad in October 2024, assumed the SCO chairmanship last month, and is now preparing to host the Council of Heads of State summit in 2027. Dar reviewed preparations for that summit with SCO national coordinators in Islamabad on September 30. Pakistan also chairs the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure for 2025-26.
The Dushanbe session brings together heads of government and senior officials from across the SCO membership. A joint communique and key decisions are expected at the close of the meeting.
Dar, who serves as both deputy prime minister and foreign minister, is expected to hold further bilateral meetings with his SCO counterparts before the session concludes. His full biography and current role are profiled here, and his position as Pakistan’s current foreign minister puts him at the centre of this week’s diplomacy.
FAQ
What is the SCO Council of Heads of Government?
It is the SCO’s second-highest decision-making body, guiding economic, financial, trade, connectivity and socio-economic cooperation, along with the organisation’s budgetary matters.
Who welcomed Ishaq Dar in Dushanbe?
Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda welcomed Dar and the other delegation heads. Dar also called on President Emomali Rahmon during the visit.
When will Pakistan next host an SCO summit?
Pakistan, which hosted the CHG meeting in October 2024, will host the Council of Heads of State summit in 2027 after assuming the SCO chairmanship last month.
