ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to an open, inclusive and constructive chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), stressing the need to translate shared objectives into practical cooperation and tangible outcomes.

Addressing the national coordinators of SCO member states, along with senior representatives of the SCO Secretariat and the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dar welcomed the participants to the first meeting of the Council of National Coordinators under Pakistan’s chairmanship.

He said Pakistan’s approach would be guided by the “Shanghai Spirit”, which emphasises mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation and common development.

Dar highlighted the theme of Pakistan’s SCO chairmanship, “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation, and Shared Prosperity”, and called for coordinated efforts to translate the organisation’s shared vision into concrete initiatives and meaningful results.

He stressed the importance of close cooperation among member states to advance the SCO’s objectives and strengthen regional connectivity, innovation and shared development.

The deputy prime minister also highlighted preparations for Pakistan to host the SCO Council of Heads of State summit in Islamabad in 2027.

He called on member states to maintain close coordination and work collectively to ensure a successful chairmanship and effective implementation of the organisation’s priorities.

Pakistan’s chairmanship provides an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among SCO members and advance the organisation’s agenda on regional connectivity, economic cooperation and shared prosperity.