CHOLPON-ATA (special crosspondent) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar arrived in Kyrgyzstan on Friday to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting. Upon his arrival at the venue, he was formally welcomed by Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev, with the two officials engaging in a brief exchange. Following the reception, Senator Dar joined his counterparts from the SCO member states for the traditional family photograph, marking the commencement of the high-level diplomatic summit.

The Deputy Prime Minister, who is leading the Pakistani delegation, had previously attended an informal dinner hosted by the Kyrgyz leadership on Thursday. During the session, the attending ministers held discussions regarding the organization’s agenda and exchanged perspectives on regional cooperation. Pakistan continues to emphasize its role in multilateral forums, much like when Dr. Musaddiq Malik Reaffirms Pakistan’s Commitment to Global Climate Diplomacy in similar international engagements.

Overview of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers

The Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) serves as the third-highest forum within the SCO framework. It is specifically tasked with deliberating on critical issues surrounding international relations, while also coordinating the collective foreign and security policies of the member states. The meeting this year is attended by representatives from Pakistan, China, Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

As Pakistan seeks to bolster its influence in regional security and economic development, the delegation’s participation reflects the country’s active involvement in regional stability initiatives. This engagement mirrors broader national priorities, such as the government’s recent focus on infrastructure projects, including the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Approves 69 Billion Rupees Dir Motorway Development Project, which aims to improve internal connectivity. The diplomatic efforts in Cholpon-Ata are expected to solidify ties between member nations, fostering an environment of cooperation in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.