Ishaq Dar calls for regional peace and counter-terrorism at ECO meeting

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed deep concern regarding the security situation in the Middle East and the broader region while presiding over the 27th informal meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Council in New York. During the session, held on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly, Dar emphasized the need for peaceful resolutions to conflicts and adherence to international laws.

Addressing regional stability, Dar stated that peace and prosperity in the region are contingent upon eliminating the threat of terrorism originating from Afghanistan. He called on the Taliban government to take concrete and verifiable action against groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) to address Pakistan's legitimate security concerns.

Dar noted that while the ECO region covers approximately 8 million square kilometers and is home to 500 million people, it currently accounts for only about 2.2 percent of global trade. He urged member states to utilize their collective capabilities to foster regional cooperation, trade, and economic resilience. Pakistan is currently holding the ECO presidency for the 2026-27 term under the theme ‘Revitalizing Regional Cooperation for a Strong and Resilient ECO’.