• Says ECO needs stronger political commitment, institutional reforms to address challenges
• Links regional peace to elimination of Afghan-based terrorist threat
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday expressed deep concern over the prevailing security situation in the region and the Middle East, saying Pakistan remained firmly committed to a peaceful, negotiated resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.
Speaking at the 27th informal meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) in New York, Mr Dar also emphasised the importance of peace and stability for regional prosperity and development, saying terrorism emanating from Afghan soil undermined these efforts.
Commenting on the regional and Middle East situation, the deputy premier said the sincerity and dedication of Pakistan’s leadership had led it to engage closely with “brotherly countries and partners” to facilitate peaceful outcomes.
The deputy premier highlighted that the ECO required stronger political commitment and institutional reforms to respond effectively to these challenges. He called for a review and streamlining of the ECO Secretariat and affiliated institutions to ensure their mandates and structures remained responsive to evolving political and economic realities.
“Our shared objective must be to transform the ECO region into a more integrated, dynamic and competitive region within the Global South,” he said.
He noted that Pakistan, as chair of the ECO Council of Ministers for 2026-27, would focus particularly on trade and economic integration, connectivity and transit, trade facilitation and climate resilience.
The deputy prime minister noted that despite being home to nearly half a billion people, the ECO region accounted for only around 2.2 per cent of global trade, while intra-regional trade remained approximately 8pc of total regional trade.
“These figures underscore the considerable untapped potential,” he said, calling for the experience of successful regional organisations to be used to deepen economic integration.
As Pakistan prepares to host the 30th ECO Council of Ministers meeting in Islamabad in November, Mr Dar said Islamabad looked forward to working closely with all member states and the ECO Secretariat.
He also said Pakistan was advancing the Strategic Goals of Economic Cooperation 2026-2035, which would provide a framework for regional cooperation over the coming decade.
Ties with Kabul
Speaking on Islamabad’s ties with Kabul, Mr Dar said Pakistan had always desired a peaceful, prosperous and stable Afghanistan that was fully integrated into the region and at peace with itself and its neighbours.
“Pakistan’s only expectation was for the Taliban regime to address our legitimate security concerns,” Mr Dar said, adding that Islamabad expected concrete and verifiable action against the TTP, BLA and their affiliates, which he said continued to threaten Pakistan’s sovereignty and the lives of its citizens.
“We believe that peace and development in the region can only be achieved with the elimination of the terrorist threat from Afghanistan.”
Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2026
