By Rehan Khan
CAIRO: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the Developing Eight (D-8) Charter, emphasizing the importance of its objectives and fostering intra-regional cooperation.
Addressing the 21st Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of D-8 countries, Dar underscored Pakistan’s resolve to enhance economic collaboration and boost trade among the member states. He particularly highlighted opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, food security, and tourism.
Dar hailed the signing of the Protocol on the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) Dispute Settlement Mechanism (DSM) as a significant milestone. “This mechanism is a key achievement in resolving trade disputes and promoting intra-regional trade,” he noted. He further informed the audience that Pakistan’s federal cabinet had approved the protocol and its operationalization, expressing hope for its early ratification.
On agriculture and food security, Dar declared them as critical priorities for Pakistan and the D-8. “In March 2023, we inaugurated the D-8 Research Center on Agriculture and Food Security in Pakistan,” he said, envisioning the center as a hub for innovative research benefiting all member states.
Highlighting the potential in tourism, Dar pointed to Pakistan’s hosting of the 3rd Meeting on Tourism in August 2023, which culminated in the adoption of the Islamabad Declaration on Tourism. “This declaration outlines our shared commitments to implementing the D-8 comprehensive strategy on tourism,” he added.
Turning to global concerns, the Deputy Prime Minister voiced deep distress over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where escalating violence has resulted in devastating loss of life and injuries to innocent civilians. “The D-8 Council of Ministers offers a critical platform to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Middle East,” he stated, while urging an immediate and unconditional end to hostilities in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.
Dar also advocated for the expansion of the D-8, expressing support for Azerbaijan’s application for membership and calling for the approval of membership criteria. Furthermore, he nominated Ambassador Sohail Mehmood as the next D-8 Secretary General for the term beginning January 1, 2026.
As the meeting concluded, Dar welcomed Egypt as the new chair of the D-8 and lauded the D-8 Secretariat for its contributions to fostering progress and collaboration among member states. “Pakistan looks forward to working closely with Egypt to promote growth and prosperity across the D-8,” he remarked.
