Pakistan urges inclusive governance, national consensus in Afghanistan at SCO summit

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting held in Tianjin, China, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, emphasized the importance of national consensus and inclusive governance in Afghanistan as key priorities for regional stability.

In his statement delivered on Wednesday, July 16, Dar highlighted that the continued strengthening of a national consensus and ensuring ethnic and political inclusion within Afghanistan’s governing structures remain central issues for Pakistan and regional partners.

The Pakistani foreign minister stated that participants at the summit stressed the critical need to support an Afghanistan free from terrorism. He added, “There is a shared understanding of the importance of supporting Afghanistan’s reconstruction and ensuring its sustainable development as an independent, neutral, and peaceful country—free from terrorism and narcotics trafficking.”

Dar also noted that discussions during the meeting focused on enhancing regional security, with special emphasis on Afghanistan’s role in the broader stability of the region.

The SCO meeting comes at a time when international attention remains focused on Afghanistan’s political landscape, regional integration, and the collective responsibility of neighboring states in promoting peace, security, and development in the country.