DPM Dar to attend SCO CFM meeting in China

Peshawar (Web Desk): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will depart tomorrow for Tianjin, China, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting. This gathering is being held ahead of the annual summit of heads of state scheduled for later this year.

The SCO is an international political and security alliance comprising ten member states, including China, Russia, Pakistan, India, and Iran. Senior officials from Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan will also participate in the meeting.

According to the Foreign Office, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has been specially invited by his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and will lead the Pakistani delegation at the event.

The SCO Council of Foreign Ministers is the organization’s third-highest forum, focusing on international affairs and the group’s foreign and security policies. The forum approves declarations and documents that are subsequently submitted to the heads of state summit for consideration.

Pakistan is attending the meeting amid escalating tensions with India. Last month, the SCO defense ministers’ meeting failed to issue a joint statement due to India’s absence. During that occasion, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to combating terrorism and promoting regional peace and stability.