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Dar denounces US-Israel strikes on Iran at SCO forum

Dar denounces US-Israel strikes on Iran at SCO forum

Pakistan

FM warns against use of force as foreign policy tool

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  • Reaffirms commitment to regional connectivity and climate action

  • Seeks SCO collaboration on anti-poverty and trade initiatives

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TIANJIN (Dunya News) – Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday strongly condemned attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran, calling them “unacceptable” during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting held in Tianjin, China.

The 10-member SCO includes China, Russia, India, Iran and Pakistan. The ministerial gathering is a prelude to the annual leaders’ summit scheduled for this autumn in Tianjin.

Dar criticised Israel’s 13th June bombing campaign, which struck military, nuclear and residential targets in Iran, killing nuclear scientists, civilians and senior commanders. He also denounced the US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites on 22nd June, calling both sets of attacks “unjustified and illegitimate”.

‘Reckless use of force’

“We have strongly condemned the unjustified and illegitimate aggression by Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran and the US strikes on its nuclear facilities,” Dar said. “Such illegal actions directed against SCO member states are unacceptable.”

Continuing his remarks, Dar condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza: “Israel has shown a reckless disregard for international norms and humanity through its relentless and disproportionate use of force in Gaza, resulting in the death of tens of thousands of civilians causing the worst humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”

He reiterated support for the two-state solution: “The only viable remedy to the Palestine dispute is the realisation of a two-state solution... with Al Quds as its capital.” 

South Asia concerns

Dar raised concerns over recent tensions in South Asia, particularly the fallout from the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India-occupied Kashmir.

“The attribution of the Pahalgam Attack to Pakistan – without a credible investigation or verifiable evidence – brought the two nuclear-armed states to the brink of a major conflict,” he said.

He highlighted Pakistan’s restraint in response to “legal transgressions, rhetorical belligerence, and strategic recklessness”.

Dar stressed that disputes must be settled through peaceful means. “We believe that disputes and differences are resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, instead of conflict and coercion.”

Call for dialogue and cooperation

“Strict adherence to bilateral agreements would be equally important,” Dar noted. “The peaceful settlement of longstanding unresolved disputes is imperative for enduring peace.”

On Afghanistan, Dar said peace and stability there was essential for SCO’s collective future, suggesting that reviving the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group could support pragmatic cooperation.

“Terrorism is the common concern of humanity that threatens global security. All forms of terrorism, including state terrorism, are condemnable. We must shun the use of terrorism for political purposes.”

Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), citing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a key regional development initiative.

“We need to take concrete steps within existing SCO mechanisms for trade and development and promote the use of national currencies for mutual settlement... We support the proposal to create a SCO alternative development funding mechanism,” he said.

Pakistan, as the permanent chair of the SCO’s Special Working Group on poverty, remains committed to cooperative efforts to combat poverty. He also urged members to jointly address climate change, calling it an “existential threat”.

Vision for SCO

“SCO has emerged as a stabilising force. Its inclusive approach... offers a compelling alternative to aggression, confrontation and zero-sum rivalries,” Dar said.

“In our pursuit of peace and security, we believe in non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, non-use of force or threat of its use in international relations, as well as seeking no unilateral military superiority in the region.”

Following the meeting, Dar posted on X: “We reaffirmed our shared commitment to multilateralism, mutual respect and regional stability. The Shanghai Spirit continues to guide us towards dialogue, mutual trust and the pursuit of a more just and inclusive international order.”

Also read: DPM Dar meets Chinese President Xi ahead of SCO summit in Beijing

Meeting with Xi

Earlier in Beijing, Dar met Chinese President Xi Jinping during a joint call by SCO foreign ministers.

Posting on X, he said he was “delighted” to convey the “warm greetings of the leadership, government and people of Pakistan,” and reaffirmed commitment to “advancing shared regional goals”.

Xi emphasised regional cooperation under the SCO framework, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa).

Bilateral engagements

Dar also met with foreign ministers of several SCO member states including Iran, Russia, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. He discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties and expand cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture and defence.

 

In his meeting with Russian FM Sergei Lavrov, both sides expressed satisfaction over growing ties and Dar reiterated an invitation for Lavrov to visit Pakistan.

According to Mofa, Dar will continue to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from other SCO member states during his visit to China.

Also read: FM Dar meets Russian, Iranian counterparts on sidelines of SCO summit

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