TIANJIN, CHINA – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday strongly condemned the recent military strikes carried out by Israel and the United States against Iran, calling them “unacceptable” and a violation of international norms. Dar was addressing the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), held in the Chinese city of Tianjin.
The SCO is a 10-member Eurasian political and security alliance, comprising China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Iran, and others. The foreign ministers’ meeting precedes the annual SCO leaders’ summit, which is scheduled to take place later this year in Tianjin.
In his address, Dar said, “We strongly condemn the unjustified and illegitimate aggression by Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran and the U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities. Such illegal actions directed against SCO member states are unacceptable.”
Referring to Israel’s ongoing operations in Gaza, Dar accused Tel Aviv of showing a “reckless disregard for international norms and humanity.” He reiterated Pakistan’s call for an immediate end to hostilities and advocated for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of a viable Palestinian state.
“Unilateral and illegal measures to change the status of disputed territories in violation of UN Security Council resolutions must be strongly condemned and opposed by all,” he said.
Regional Stability and Bilateral Tensions
Shifting to South Asian regional issues, Dar raised concerns over the deteriorating security environment in recent months, particularly in the wake of the April 22 terrorist attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam. He criticised India’s attribution of the attack to Pakistan without a credible investigation, warning that such actions risked escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
“Pakistan remains committed to the ceasefire and a stable regional equilibrium,” Dar stated. “But we cannot accept the normalization of arbitrary use of force.”
He called for dialogue and diplomacy as the only path to resolving longstanding disputes and urged the initiation of a comprehensive, structured bilateral dialogue with India. “Strict adherence to bilateral agreements is equally important,” he added.
Afghanistan, Terrorism, and Economic Cooperation
On Afghanistan, Dar stressed that lasting peace in the war-torn country was vital to regional security. He proposed reviving the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group to facilitate practical cooperation.
“Terrorism in all its forms — including state terrorism — is condemnable,” he asserted. “We must reject the use of terrorism for political purposes and adopt a cooperative approach to combat it, including addressing its root causes.”
Highlighting the importance of regional integration, Dar described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aligns with the SCO’s goals of connectivity and shared prosperity.
He supported the establishment of an alternative development financing mechanism under the SCO and proposed enhanced use of national currencies for mutual trade to reduce reliance on volatile international financial systems.
Commitment to Multilateralism and Climate Action
Dar also emphasized climate change as an “existential threat” that SCO member states must address collectively. He lauded the SCO’s role as a stabilizing force in an increasingly fragmented global order.
“In our pursuit of peace and security, we believe in non-aggression, non-interference, and seeking no unilateral military superiority in the region,” he said.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) following the meeting, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to multilateralism and regional cooperation: “The Shanghai Spirit continues to guide us towards dialogue, mutual trust, and a more inclusive international order.”
Bilateral Engagements and Meeting with Xi Jinping
Earlier in the day, FM Dar joined fellow SCO foreign ministers in a joint meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. He conveyed greetings from Pakistan’s leadership and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to its strategic partnership with China.
“As iron-clad brothers and all-weather strategic cooperative partners, we remain committed to deepening Pak-China friendship and advancing shared regional goals,” Dar wrote on X.
During his visit, Dar also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Iran, Russia, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. In talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation and discussed regional developments, particularly in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Iran.
Dar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed to further strengthen cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture, and defence, with Dar extending a formal invitation for Lavrov to visit Pakistan.
The Foreign Office stated that the deputy prime minister will continue holding bilateral meetings with SCO member states throughout the duration of the summit.
