Dar rejects 'normalisation of arbitrary force'

Express Tribune

16-07-2025

Foreign ministers of the SCO member states pose for a group photograph during the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin, China. Photo: AFP
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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to regional stability, multilateral cooperation, and peaceful dispute resolution during his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin on Tuesday.
Speaking at the high-level gathering, Dar emphasised the SCO's role as a stabilising force in a world facing profound geopolitical challenges. He praised China's leadership in advancing the organisation's agenda and welcomed Belarus as the newest full member.
Dar strongly criticised Israel's military actions in Gaza, labeling them a "reckless disregard for international norms" that has led to a dire humanitarian crisis. He urged an immediate ceasefire and reiterated Pakistan's support for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as Palestine's capital.
The foreign minister also denounced recent attacks on Iran, including US strikes on nuclear facilities, calling such actions against SCO member states "unacceptable".
Dar expressed concern over recent escalations in South Asia, referencing the Pahalgam attack allegations that brought Pakistan and a neighboring nuclear-armed state to the brink of conflict.
He stressed that disputes must be resolved through dialogue, not coercion, and called for structured talks to address long-standing issues.
"Pakistan remains committed to ceasefire agreements and regional stability, but we cannot accept the normalisation of arbitrary force," he stated.
Dar advocated for institutional reforms within the SCO, including the adoption of English as a third official language and enhanced Secretariat capabilities.
He also highlighted the need for economic collaboration, proposing greater use of national currencies to mitigate global financial shocks and backing the creation of an alternative development funding mechanism.
He also underscored the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship Belt and Road Initiative project, as vital for regional connectivity and shared prosperity.
The deputy prime minister called for renewed engagement with Afghanistan through the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group and emphasized a unified approach to counterterrorism, rejecting its use for political gains. He also flagged climate change as a critical challenge requiring collective action.
In closing, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's dedication to the "Shanghai Spirit" of mutual trust and cooperation, urging member states to pursue a future "defined not by confrontation, but by collaboration."
FMs meeting
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar represented Pakistan on Tuesday during a joint call of foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
President Xi, in his address to the visiting foreign ministers, underscored the importance of regional cooperation under the SCO framework - a body spanning the Eurasian landmass and representing a significant portion of the global population.
On the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Dar also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Russia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
DPM/FM Ishaq Dar on Tuesday met Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the SCO CFM in Tianjin, China.
During the meeting, both the dignitaries expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral ties and agreed to further enhance cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture, and defence, a DPM's Office news release said.
On the occasion, the DPM/FM reiterated the invitation for FM Lavrov to visit Pakistan.
In a meeting with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Kulubaev Zheenbek Moldokanovic at the Great Hall in Tianjin, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the longstanding Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relationship and expressed interest in expanding cooperation across areas of mutual interest.
Separately, DPM Dar met Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu. The two leaders reiterated their resolve to deepen bilateral ties and enhance collaboration in regional and multilateral fora.
Dar also held meetings with the foreign ministers of other SCO member states on the sidelines of the joint call with President Xi.
"Valuable opportunity to exchange views and reinforce regional cooperation during these challenging times," he posted on X following his meetings with the foreign ministers of Iran, Uzbekistan, and Belarus.