At ECO meeting, Dar voices concern over regional, Middle East security situation

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed deep concern over the security situation in the Middle East and regional stability during an informal meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers in New York. He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to resolving disputes peacefully, in line with international law. Dar stated that Pakistan's leadership had worked closely with "brotherly countries and partners" to achieve peaceful outcomes, and these efforts had yielded tangible progress that needed to be consolidated.

The region faced significant challenges, including climate change impacting water and food security, and emerging connectivity corridors offering potential economic benefits. The ECO region, covering eight million square kilometres and home to nearly half a billion people, accounted for only 2.2% of global trade, with intra-regional trade being about 8% of total trade.

Dar called for stronger political commitment, institutional reforms, and a review of the ECO Secretariat to ensure responsiveness to changing realities. As chair of the ECO Council of Ministers for 2026-27, Pakistan would focus on trade integration, connectivity, transit, trade facilitation, and climate resilience. Strengthening transport networks, harmonising customs procedures, and improving transit systems were crucial, with Pakistan ready to serve as a gateway for the region.

The ECO Trade Agreement was highlighted as an important instrument for regional economic integration, and the roadmap adopted by ECO trade ministers in November 2025 should be built upon to create a functional and digitally enabled ECO Free Trade Area. Dar emphasized the importance of peace and stability for regional prosperity and development, stating that terrorism emanating from Afghan soil undermined these efforts.

Pakistan had pursued constructive engagement with the Taliban regime, offering bilateral and transit trade concessions, and supporting the signing of a framework agreement for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project. However, Pakistan expected concrete and verifiable actions against terrorist groups, including the Taliban, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (BLA), which continued to threaten the region.