Pakistan vows stronger bilateral cooperation with Belarus, Central Asian states on SCO sidelines

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to stronger bilateral cooperation during meetings with his Belarusian, Kazakh, Tajik and Uzbek counterparts on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Foreign Ministers' (SCO-CFM) meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the foreign minister met his Belarusian counterpart, Maxim Ryzhenkov, with the two sides reviewing bilateral relations and reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation across a range of sectors. 

"The two ministers also looked forward to the ninth session of the Pakistan-Belarus Joint Ministerial Commission, to be hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad on August 11-12, 2026, as well as to high-level exchanges," it added.

The statement said that the two leaders discussed ways to expand economic and trade cooperation, deepen collaboration in defence, agriculture, technology, and workforce exchange, and reaffirmed their commitment to the Roadmap for Comprehensive Cooperation 2025–2027.

It added that FM Dar and Ryzhenkov "also exchanged views on regional developments and issues of mutual interest," with the Belarusian FM appreciating Pakistan’s "constructive role in facilitating dialogue during the US-Iran situation" and commending Islamabad's continued efforts to promote regional peace and security.

In a separate meeting, FM Dar met with the Kazakhstan counterpart Yermek Kosherbayev, reviewing the "positive momentum" in bilateral relations following the visit of Belarusian President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Pakistan earlier this year.

According to MoFA, the two ministers "reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the understandings reached, including the 37 MoUs signed during the visit."

"They agreed to intensify cooperation in trade, investment, transport and regional connectivity, energy, people-to-people exchanges, and at multilateral forums," MoFA added.

Meanwhile, they also exchanged views on regional and global developments, reiterating their shared commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity.

Kosherbayev appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to advance regional peace and diplomacy, inviting FM Dar to visit Kazakhstan, which he graciously accepted at a mutually convenient time, MoFA concluded.

In his meeting with Tajikistan's Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, FM Dar and the minister "reaffirmed the longstanding, brotherly, and close ties between Pakistan and Tajikistan."

The two also "expressed their shared commitment to further expanding cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, energy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges," MoFA said.

Further, FM Dar and Muhriddin "underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges to further strengthen the bilateral partnership," with the latter reaffirming Tajikistan’s support for Islamabad's continued efforts to promote peace, stability, and the peaceful resolution of regional issues.

"The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments and emphasised the importance of cooperation at multilateral forums to advance peace, stability, and prosperity," MoFA said.

Meeting with the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov, FM Dar and the minister "reaffirmed the strength of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, connectivity, energy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges."

The ministers also "emphasised the importance of sustained high-level exchanges and closer engagement between the business communities of both countries to further expand economic ties."

According to MoFA, FM Dar and Saidov discussed cooperation at regional and multilateral forums and recalled the successful visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Pakistan earlier this year, underscoring "the importance of translating the understandings reached during the visit into tangible outcomes through timely implementation."

Further, the two sides "also exchanged views on regional and global developments," with Saidov appreciating Islamabad's diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and stability, including its role in facilitating the Islamabad MoU.

"Both sides expressed hope that dialogue and diplomacy would continue to pave the way for lasting peace and regional stability," MoFA said.

In a separate post on X, MoFA shared the details of FM Dar's visit to Kyrgyzstan, where he attended the SCO-CFM 

"Dar's visit provided an opportunity not only to underscore Pakistan's historic ties with the SCO member states but also to reaffirm its readiness to assume the chair of the SCO for 2026-27 and to promote the SCO agenda for socio-economic cooperation for mutual benefit," it said.

During his visit, MoFA noted, Dar "attended an informal dinner at the Cultural Centre 'Nomad', hosted by the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Moldokanovich Kulubaev, in honour of the visiting dignitaries."

MoFA recalled that Dar also called upon the Kyrgyz President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov, where he conveyed greetings from Pakistan's leadership. During the meeting, Dar also "expressed Pakistan's desire to work closely with the Kyrgyz side to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across diverse fields."

MoFA noted that Dar then led the Pakistani delegation to the SCO-CFM, where he delivered Islamabad's national statement, "reiterating the country's unwavering commitment to the SCO Charter, as well as the 'Shanghai Spirit', which stands for mutual trust, mutual respect, shared prosperity and development."

Dar also conveyed Pakistan's readiness to assume chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) in September, MoFA said, noting that the foreign minister invited all SCO member states to Pakistan for the CHS Summit next year.