DPM Dar arrives in Tajikistan for high-level SCO moot

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe on Monday to lead Pakistan’s delegation at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting. Upon arrival, he was received by Tajikistan’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Irfan Ahmed and Pakistan’s national coordinator for the SCO, Khalil Hashmi, along with senior Tajik government officials. Later, he held a meeting with Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda and thanked him for the warm hospitality extended to the Pakistani delegation and appreciated the arrangements for the SCO meeting. According to the Foreign Office (FO), he also congratulated Tajikistan on the 35th anniversary of its independence.

“The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, energy, connectivity, defence and culture, as well as promoting people-to-people exchanges. They also underscored the importance of cooperation on climate change and water security,” it said. “Highlighting Pakistan’s expertise in disaster management, Dar underscored the potential for cooperation with Tajikistan through the National Disaster Management Authority. They also exchanged views on regional developments. Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with Tajikistan to promote regional peace and deeper economic integration,” it said. DPM Dar also met the first deputy prime minister of Mongolia, Jadambyn Enkhbayar, on the margins of a reception hosted by Rasulzoda for heads of delegations attending the SCO meeting. In addition, he held an informal meeting with the Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang on the sidelines of the banquet dinner, according to the FO. “The two leaders…