Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar condemned recent military strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran, describing them as “unacceptable” during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin, China, on July 15, 2025. The remarks underscore Pakistan’s push for regional stability and peaceful resolution of disputes.
The SCO, comprising 10 member states including Pakistan, China, Russia, India, and Iran, convened to address pressing regional issues ahead of the annual leaders’ summit later this year. Dar criticized Israel’s June 13, 2025, bombing campaign targeting Iranian military, nuclear, and civilian sites, which resulted in significant casualties, including nuclear scientists and senior commanders. He also denounced US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22, 2025, calling both actions “unjustified and illegitimate.”
Dar expressed concern over Israel’s actions in Gaza, accusing it of “reckless disregard” for international norms, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a two-state solution to the Palestine issue, with Al Quds as the capital of a Palestinian state. On South Asia, Dar addressed tensions following the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India-occupied Kashmir, rejecting claims of Pakistan’s involvement and urging credible investigations to prevent escalation between nuclear-armed states.
The minister emphasized diplomacy over conflict, advocating for dialogue to resolve disputes and adherence to bilateral agreements. He called for reviving the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group to foster stability in Afghanistan and condemned all forms of terrorism, including state-sponsored acts. Dar also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative, highlighting the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a cornerstone of regional development, and supported SCO initiatives for trade, poverty alleviation, and climate change action.
In bilateral engagements, Dar met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and foreign ministers from Iran, Russia, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan to strengthen ties in trade, energy, and defense. Posting on X, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism and regional stability, stating, “The Shanghai Spirit guides us toward dialogue, mutual trust, and a just international order.”
