Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to the regional ceasefire agreement with India during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting, while cautioning against the normalisation of force in international affairs.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stressed the need for diplomacy over confrontation in South Asia. He reiterated that sustainable peace depends on respecting bilateral agreements and resolving disputes through dialogue.
“Pakistan has shown restraint despite recent provocations,” Dar said, referencing recent cross-border tensions. He warned that peace cannot be maintained if aggression becomes a routine policy tool.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated following an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in April, which led to a brief armed conflict. A US-mediated ceasefire was reached in May after both sides exchanged strikes.
Dar also highlighted the SCO’s role as a stabilising platform and called for collective efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, economic integration, and counter-terrorism mechanisms. He urged SCO members to uphold sovereign equality and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
On Afghanistan, Dar supported reactivating SCO’s contact group, emphasizing the importance of inclusive regional peace-building. He also encouraged greater use of local currencies in trade and backed proposals for a joint development fund.
