Pakistan and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed their support for each other's chairmanships of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, following a telephone conversation between their foreign ministers. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke with Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, in a call reported on 2 November.

Two chairmanships, one calendar

Mr Dar congratulated Uzbekistan on assuming the chairpersonship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government for 2026-2027 and assured Tashkent of Pakistan's full support and assistance during its tenure. Mr Saidov, in turn, expressed Uzbekistan's support for Pakistan, which has assumed the chairpersonship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for the same period.

The ministers discussed preparations and proposed dates for the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit in 2027, along with the organisation's calendar of activities. They also exchanged views on regional developments, with Mr Saidov appreciating Pakistan's sustained efforts to promote regional peace and security, according to the reports of the call.

Bilateral ties reaffirmed

Both ministers exchanged greetings for the leadership of their countries and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations. The exchange underlines how the two chairmanships will require close coordination in the year ahead, as each side prepares meetings and activities under its respective council.

Sources: Lead Pakistan; TezKhabar (APP).