Pakistan commits to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Belarus, Central Asian states on the sidelines of the SCO

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

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the Foreign Minister met with his Belarusian counterpart, Maxim Ryzhenkov, with whom both sides reviewed bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in a range of sectors.

“The two ministers also look forward to the ninth session of the Pakistan-Belarus Joint Ministerial Commission, to be hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad on August 11-12, 2026, and the high-level exchanges,” the statement added.

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

He added that FM Dar and Ryzhenkov “also exchanged views on regional developments and issues of common interest”, with the Belarusian minister appreciating Pakistan’s “constructive role in facilitating dialogue during the US-Iran situation” and welcoming Islamabad’s continued efforts to promote regional peace and security.

In a separate meeting, FM Dar met with his Kazakh counterpart Yermek Kosherbayev, reviewing the “positive momentum” in bilateral relations following Belarusian President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Pakistan earlier this year.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers “reaffirmed their commitment to implement the agreements reached, including the 37 memorandums of understanding signed during the visit.”

“They agreed to intensify cooperation in the areas of trade, investments, transport and regional connectivity, energy, people-to-people exchanges and in multilateral forums,” the Foreign Ministry added.

Meanwhile, they also exchanged views on regional and global developments, reiterating their common 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, the Foreign Ministry concluded.

During his meeting with Tajikistan Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, FM Dar and the minister “reaffirmed the long-standing, fraternal and close ties between Pakistan and Tajikistan.”

The two also “expressed their joint commitment to further expand cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, connectivity, energy, culture and people-to-people exchanges”, the Foreign Ministry said.

Furthermore, FM Dar and Muhriddin “emphasized 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 peaceful resolution of regional issues.

“The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments and highlighted the importance of cooperation in multilateral forums to advance peace, stability and prosperity,” the foreign ministry said.

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

The ministers also “underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges and closer engagement between the two countries’ business communities to further expand economic ties.”

According to the Foreign Ministry, Dar and Saidov discussed cooperation at regional and multilateral forums and recalled President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s successful visit to Pakistan earlier this year, emphasizing “the importance of translating the agreements reached during the visit into tangible results through rapid implementation.”

Besides, 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 Memorandum of Understanding.

“Both sides expressed hope that dialogue and diplomacy will continue to pave the way for lasting peace and regional stability,” the Foreign Ministry said.

In a separate article on X, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared details of FM Dar’s visit to Kyrgyzstan, where he attended the SCO-CFM.

“Dar’s visit provided an opportunity to not only highlight Pakistan’s historic ties with SCO member states but also reaffirm its readiness to assume the SCO Chairmanship for 2026-2027 and promote the SCO socio-economic cooperation agenda for mutual benefit,” he said.

During his visit, the Foreign Ministry noted, Dar “attended an informal dinner at the ‘Nomad’ Cultural Center, hosted by Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Moldokanovich Kulubaev, in honor of the visiting dignitaries.”

The Foreign Ministry recalled that Dar also visited Kyrgyz President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov, where he conveyed greetings from the Pakistani leadership. During the meeting, Dar also “expressed Pakistan’s desire to work closely with the Kyrgyz side to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields.”

The Foreign Ministry noted that Dar then led the Pakistani delegation to the SCO-CFM, where he delivered the National Islamabad Declaration, “reiterating the country’s unwavering commitment to the SCO Charter, as well as the ‘Shanghai Spirit’, which represents mutual trust, mutual respect, shared prosperity and development.”

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