Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday urged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to cancel its planned protest on October 15. He appealed to PTI to make this decision in the “larger national interest.” His request comes as Pakistan prepares to host the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Islamabad on October 15 and 16.
Dar emphasized the significance of the upcoming SCO meeting, where important issues will be discussed under the SCO framework. Speaking to journalists after reviewing the arrangements for the meeting, he highlighted the importance of ensuring a peaceful environment for the event. He pointed out that PTI had disrupted national politics before, notably during the 2014 protests, which led to the postponement of the Chinese president’s visit to Pakistan.
PTI Urged to Learn from the Past
Dar criticized PTI for repeating past mistakes and crossing red lines by attacking state institutions. He called on the party’s leadership to reconsider their decision for the greater good. According to Dar, such disruptions could have severe consequences for Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements and international reputation.
The deputy prime minister confirmed that several countries had requested bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the SCO meeting. He added that these meetings had already been finalized. However, India had not requested a bilateral meeting, and discussions with Indian officials would remain limited to SCO matters during the multilateral forum.
Afghanistan’s Participation Suspended
Regarding Afghanistan’s participation in the SCO, Dar explained that since 2021, Afghanistan’s Observer Status has been suspended. As a result, Afghanistan had not been invited to the current meeting, nor had it participated in previous SCO sessions. Dar noted that Pakistan could not decide on Afghanistan’s inclusion in the SCO on its own, as such decisions are made collectively by member states at the SCO forum.
Dar assured that Pakistan was fully prepared to host the CHG-SCO meeting and would meet its responsibilities as the host nation. He added that discussions on regional connectivity, including North-South and South-South connectivity, were ongoing both at bilateral and multilateral levels. Specific issues would be addressed within the framework and protocol of the SCO meeting.
Integration and Peace as Core Objectives
Dar stressed the importance of regional integration and peace, highlighting that it was a key objective of the current government. He mentioned that this focus on peace and integration is also part of the PML-N’s manifesto, driven by the leadership of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Efforts to Address Inflation and Economic Challenges
Dar also spoke about the government’s efforts to combat inflation, stating that they are working towards meeting their target by next year. He encouraged critics to reassess their claims that Pakistan was facing diplomatic isolation. Instead, he pointed to recent high-profile visits, such as those of the Malaysian Prime Minister and a Saudi delegation, as evidence of Pakistan’s growing regional importance.
The deputy prime minister emphasized that Pakistan is emerging as a hub for regional trade and investment. With continuous discussions on trade and commerce between SCO member states, Dar affirmed that Pakistan is playing a central role in fostering economic cooperation in the region.
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