ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DOM/ FM) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Belarus on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening regional cooperation, enhancing economic, trade connectivity and promoting peace and stability.
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During his meeting with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev, Dar reviewed the growing momentum in bilateral relations following President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Pakistan earlier this year. Both sides reiterated their commitment to implement the understandings reached during the visit, including 37 memorandums of understanding, and agreed to intensify cooperation in trade, investment, transport, regional connectivity, energy, people-to-people exchanges and coordination at multilateral forums.
The Kazakh foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to advance regional peace and diplomacy, while the two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments. Kosherbayev invited Dar to visit Kazakhstan, an invitation he accepted.
In talks with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, the two ministers reaffirmed the strength of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and reviewed progress in cooperation covering trade, investment, connectivity, energy, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
They stressed the need for sustained high-level engagement and stronger interaction between the business communities of both countries to expand economic ties. Recalling President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Pakistan earlier this year, they emphasised the timely implementation of agreements reached during the visit.
The two Foreign Ministers also discussed regional and global developments, with Saidov appreciating Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace, including its role in facilitating the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Both sides expressed hope that dialogue and diplomacy would continue to support lasting regional stability and agreed to remain in close contact.
Earlier, meeting Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, DPM Dar reaffirmed the longstanding brotherly ties between Pakistan and Tajikistan and both sides expressed their commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, energy, culture and people-to-people exchanges. They underscored the importance of continued high-level interactions to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Muhriddin reiterated Tajikistan’s support for Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace, stability and the peaceful resolution of regional issues. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international developments and highlighted the importance of cooperation at multilateral forums.
In his meeting with Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, the two sides reviewed the state of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across a wide range of sectors.
They looked forward to the ninth session of the Pakistan-Belarus Joint Ministerial Commission, scheduled to be held in Islamabad on August 11-12, 2026, and agreed to maintain high-level engagement.
Discussions focused on expanding collaboration in trade, defence, agriculture, technology and workforce exchange, while reaffirming support for the Roadmap for Comprehensive Cooperation (2025-2027). The Belarusian foreign minister also appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in facilitating dialogue during the recent U.S.-Iran situation and commended Islamabad’s continued efforts to promote regional peace and security.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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