The key facts

  • Pakistan presented CPEC as an opportunity for comprehensive economic integration for SCO partners at the meeting in Dushanbe.
  • Dar called for expanding investment in energy, transport, agriculture, mining and IT, as well as establishing an SCO development bank and funds.
  • Pakistan's only expectation of the Afghan Taliban is that Afghan territory not be used for terrorism against Pakistan and the world.

Address at the SCO meeting in Dushanbe

Speaking at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe on Tuesday, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) offers every member of the organization a 'compelling' opportunity to take part in the movement toward comprehensive economic integration. CPEC, part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, is intended to link the northwestern province of Xinjiang with the southwestern province of Balochistan through a network of roads, railways and pipelines stretching about 2,000 miles.

Investment and cooperation priorities

According to Dar, 'seamless' integration requires targeted investment primarily in energy and transport. He also advocated expanding investment in sectors with high potential — agriculture, mining and minerals, as well as information technology — for a sustainable and interconnected economic future. He named artificial intelligence, digital transformation, innovation, energy cooperation and international information security as important pillars of future cooperation within the SCO.

Financial initiatives and security

Dar once again called for accelerating the transition to mutual settlements in national currencies and for establishing an SCO Development Bank, an SCO Development Fund and an Investment Fund. In his view, sustainable economic development is impossible without lasting peace and security in the region. He stressed that stability in Afghanistan is necessary for preserving regional peace and said that Pakistan wants to see Afghanistan as a peaceful, stable, regionally integrated and prosperous state, at peace with itself and its neighbors. Pakistan's only expectation of the Afghan Taliban regime, the minister noted, is that Afghan territory not be used for terrorism against Pakistan and the entire world.

Bilateral meeting with Tajikistan

On the sidelines of the meeting, Dar held talks with Tajikistan's Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin. As Pakistan's Foreign Ministry reported, the sides emphasized the need to expand trade and economic cooperation, strengthen regional connectivity, and cooperate in the fields of energy, security and humanitarian contacts. The interlocutors also discussed regional and global developments.