Ishaq Dar Leads Pakistan Delegation at SCO Meeting in Tajikistan

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 19, 2026, to lead Pakistan's delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting. The gathering, held from October 19–20, convened leaders from Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, along with representatives from Iran and India.

As the SCO's second-highest decision-making body, the council focused on trade, finance, connectivity, and budgetary matters, with the expectation of adopting a Joint Communiqué. During the visit, Dar met with Tajikistan's Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda to review bilateral cooperation in defense, energy, and trade, while also addressing water security and climate change.

This diplomatic engagement serves as a precursor to Pakistan's 2026-27 chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State. Under the theme "Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation, and Shared Prosperity," Pakistan is preparing to host the next SCO summit in Islamabad in 2027.