Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has urged member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to speed up economic cooperation, strengthen links with partner countries, and modernise the organisation to meet new global and regional challenges.

He made these remarks while addressing the 24th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) held in Moscow on Tuesday.

In his address, Ishaq Dar presented several key proposals aimed at promoting regional prosperity and strengthening the organisation. He said the SCO is moving toward deeper economic integration, and that trade, improved infrastructure, increased investment, and the growth of the digital economy are essential for sustainable development.

The Deputy Prime Minister also proposed advancing the plans for an SCO Development Bank and activating financial tools such as the SCO Interbank Consortium to support major connectivity projects.

He stressed that observer and partner countries should not be limited to “passive observation” and should instead be included in practical projects according to their expertise.

Dar welcomed the introduction of English as a working language to expand the organisation’s global outreach and suggested setting up translation units to support this transition.

He also called for expanding the SCO University Network to promote student exchanges and joint research in fields such as information technology, artificial intelligence, agriculture, and telemedicine.

Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan has developed a technology-based disaster management system, and offered to conduct joint simulation exercises with member states to strengthen regional preparedness.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Dar met Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the “Pakistan–China all-weather strategic partnership,” reviewed bilateral cooperation, and agreed to maintain real-time communication on global affairs.

Later, Ishaq Dar, along with other heads of delegations, also met Russian President Vladimir Putin. President Putin welcomed the leaders and stressed the importance of strengthening regional economic cooperation under the SCO framework.