Ishaq Dar urges investment in energy, transport, agriculture and technology, while proposing an SCO development bank and greater use of national currencies in trade settlements.
DUSHANBE: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Tuesday called for stronger regional connectivity, increased investment in energy and transport infrastructure, and enhanced economic cooperation among member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to promote shared prosperity.
Addressing the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the organisation’s principles of mutual trust, respect for diversity and regional cooperation, collectively known as the Shanghai Spirit.
He highlighted Pakistan’s active role in the SCO, including hosting the council meeting in Islamabad in 2024 and completing its chairmanship of the SCO Anti-Terrorism Structure this year. He also outlined Pakistan’s plans to promote small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as a means of reducing poverty.
Emphasising regional economic integration, Dar called for targeted investment in energy, transport, agriculture, mining, minerals and information technology. He described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as an opportunity for all SCO partners to participate in regional connectivity and economic development.
He said artificial intelligence, digital transformation, innovation, energy cooperation and international information security should become central pillars of future collaboration.
Dar also called for accelerating the use of national currencies in mutual settlements and establishing an SCO Development Bank, Development Fund and Investment Fund to finance development projects and strengthen member states’ resilience to international financial shocks.
Highlighting Pakistan’s vision for its SCO chairmanship under the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity”, he identified peace and security, regional trade, digital transformation, climate resilience, sustainable energy and people-to-people exchanges as priority areas.
The deputy prime minister criticised protectionist policies and unilateral coercive measures, urging reforms to global financial and trade systems to promote equitable development.
On regional security, Dar stressed that sustainable economic growth depended on lasting peace, particularly in Afghanistan. He called for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan integrated with the region and urged the Afghan Taliban authorities to ensure that Afghan territory was not used for terrorist activities against Pakistan or other countries.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional stability, stronger economic partnerships and advancing Eurasian connectivity through the SCO.