Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met Chinese President Xi Jinping during a joint engagement with the foreign ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Beijing.
The high-level meeting, held under China’s presidency of the regional bloc, aimed to strengthen regional cooperation among member states.
President Xi, in his address, welcomed the visiting delegates and underlined the importance of promoting multilateralism and security under the SCO framework, which comprises the world’s largest population bloc across the Eurasian region.
Mr Dar is currently leading the Pakistani delegation at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Tianjin.
Upon his arrival in the Chinese capital, he was received at Beijing International Airport by senior Chinese foreign ministry officials including Ms Yu Hong from the Department of Asian Affairs and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalilur Rehman Hashmi.
In line with this year’s SCO theme, “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO in Action,” discussions at the summit focused on collective regional security, economic integration, and counterterrorism efforts.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, established in 2001, includes China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Belarus. It also houses the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), a key body for regional security coordination.
According to the Foreign Office, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and connectivity, reiterating Islamabad’s support for all SCO-led initiatives promoting stability and economic growth.
Phone call with UN chief
Separately, Mr Dar received a telephone call from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres during his visit. The two discussed Pakistan’s current presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
During the call, Mr Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to global peace, multilateral diplomacy, and the peaceful resolution of international disputes. He briefed the Secretary-General on the key initiatives planned by Pakistan during its presidency to further these goals.
Both leaders agreed to hold meetings and continue close engagement during UNSC-related events in New York next week. Mr Dar also assured continued support to the UN and its operational staff, expressing appreciation for the organization’s global mandate and its work in conflict resolution and humanitarian efforts.
