Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has reached Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, where he will attend the high-level meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM). The Deputy Prime Minister has been asked to head Pakistan’s delegation to this historic meeting by the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev. The trip is a significant part of Pakistan’s efforts in active regional diplomacy aimed at economic integration, connectivity and deepening strategic ties with central Asian countries and SCO members.
Traditional Family Photograph and Warm Welcome at Cholpon-Ata
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar was warmly greeted by the host officials on arrival at the venue at the top of the mountain in this picturesque resort city of Cholpon-Ata. Before the official opening of the strategic sessions, he attended the traditional family photographing ceremony with foreign ministers of other member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). This was the moment that spread the message of solidarity and common duty of the Member States to face regional issues. This was an initial chance to get to know them better through the informal side meetings that followed his involvement in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila, Philippines.
Core Agenda of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers
The SCO CFM meeting is the cornerstone of the formulation of the organization’s geopolitical targets for the future. The key thrust for this summit is on three major issues:
Collaborative Defense and Security: Improving security and defense cooperation between the member states in order to guarantee security in the region in the long-term and to mitigate emerging security threats.
Economic Connectivity and Trade: Promote trade routes and trade infrastructure among Central Asian republics and South Asia, particularly in the context of Pakistan’s geographical location as a natural trade corridor.
Joint Foreign Policy Alignment: Formulation of mutual understanding regarding geopolitical changes, multilateralism, and socio-economic cooperation in the world context of the foreign policy changes.
DPM @MIshaqDar50 is participating in the #SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in #CholponAta, #Kyrgyzstan, today@PakPMO @ForeignOfficePk @MFA_Kyrgyzstan #RadioPakistan #News #SCOCFMhttps://t.co/zJlhxvEqG7 pic.twitter.com/yGqKulflpJ
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) July 24, 2026
Strategic Bilateral Meetings on the Sidelines
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will make Pakistan’s national address at the main conclave on a two-day visit, highlighting ideas for regional peace and economic prosperity. Moreover, he will hold important bilateral talks with the leadership of Kyrgyzstan and also his peers from Central Asian countries and Iran, China, Russia and Belarus. The purpose of these off-the-record talks is to lift bilateral obstacles to trade, discuss energy corridors and discuss the possibility of extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Central Asia. Pakistan is committed to the “Shanghai Spirit”, and has been advocating sustainable development of the region and economic resilience through this platform.
