Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has stressed the need for targeted investments in core sectors, especially energy and transport to achieve seamless economic integration for the region.

He was addressing the narrow-format session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe today.

Ishaq Dar said Pakistan strongly advocates for expanding investments into high-potential industries, including agriculture, mining and minerals, and information technology to build a resilient and interconnected economic future for all the SCO nations.

He said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor offers every SCO partner a compelling opportunity to participate in and accelerate the shared journey toward comprehensive economic integration.

The Deputy Prime Minister said Pakistan also believes that Artificial Intelligence, digital transformation, innovation, energy cooperation and international information security should become important pillars of future cooperation within the SCO.

He reiterated the need to accelerate efforts to promote the use of national currencies for mutual settlement and establishing the SCO Development Bank, SCO Development Fund and an Investment Fund. Such tools and measures will advance development initiatives and help the SCO region to offset international financial shocks. 

Ishaq Dar said sustainable economic development cannot be guaranteed without durable peace and security in the region. He said ensuring stability in Afghanistan is imperative for safeguarding the peace and stability of the region. He said Pakistan continues to be desirous of a peaceful, stable, regionally integrated and prosperous Afghanistan, which is at peace with itself and its neighbours. He said Pakistan has only one expectation from the Afghan Taliban regime that Afghan territory should not be used for terrorism against Pakistan and the world.