BISHKEK, August 31, 2026: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a series of diplomatic meetings with regional counterparts on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek.

Dar met Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, with both sides discussing bilateral relations and regional developments. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two ministers reaffirmed the importance of continued engagement between Pakistan and Iran.

Dar stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain essential for maintaining peace and stability in the region. He also called for the sincere implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in June 2026.

The foreign minister said the agreement offered an important route towards regional de-escalation and lasting peace.

The Ishaq Dar SCO meetings came as Pakistan prepared to assume the SCO Council of Heads of State chairmanship for 2026-27. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is leading Pakistan’s delegation at the three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan.

Dar also met Ibrahim Kalın, director of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organisation (MİT). The two officials exchanged views on regional developments and matters of mutual interest.

Their discussion included the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and the inaugural meeting of its Strategic Political and Defence Committee. Dar emphasised the importance of continued coordination and diplomatic engagement to promote regional peace and stability.

The Pakistani foreign minister later held a warm interaction with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin. The officials discussed regional developments and matters of mutual interest.

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Dar also met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two ministers reaffirmed the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China.

Their discussions included preparations for the 2026 United Nations General Assembly session in New York and the ongoing process to elect the next UN secretary-general.

In another meeting, Dar held talks with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. The two sides reaffirmed the growing Pakistan-Uzbekistan partnership and discussed ways to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Dar also met Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov. The officials discussed bilateral relations, regional developments and other issues of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is attending the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and the SCO Plus Summit in Bishkek. Pakistan is set to assume the organisation’s top-level chairmanship for 2026-27.

During its chairmanship, Pakistan plans to focus on connectivity, innovation and shared prosperity. Islamabad has also proposed initiatives covering information technology, artificial intelligence, energy, poverty reduction, disaster management, health, culture and sports.

The diplomatic engagements in Bishkek highlight Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen relations with regional partners and promote dialogue on security, economic cooperation and regional stability.