Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a coordination meeting in Islamabad on Friday as Pakistan readies to host regional delegations on 15 and 16 November.
Tamrah News Desk | November 6, 2026
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting in Islamabad on Friday to finalize preparations for the ECO Council of Ministers meeting, which Pakistan will host on 15 and 16 November 2026, according to Radio Pakistan and the Associated Press of Pakistan. Pakistan holds the chair of the Economic Cooperation Organization’s ministerial council this year, which makes the gathering a major diplomatic event for Islamabad.
Radio Pakistan reported that Dar expressed satisfaction with the progress of preparations and told all concerned to ensure close coordination. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the Economic Cooperation Organization and said he looked forward to welcoming delegations for talks on strengthening regional cooperation.
Dar Reviews Final Arrangements for the ECO Ministerial Meeting
The Express Tribune reported that regional delegations will travel to the federal capital for discussions on strengthening cooperation. Minute Mirror reported that Dar highlighted the importance Pakistan attaches to the ECO and directed officials to make comprehensive preparations so the meeting produces practical outcomes. Readers following Pakistan foreign policy will note the emphasis on results rather than ceremony.
Earlier Reviews Show a Steady Build Up
Friday’s session was not the first. APP reported that Dar chaired a similar review on 11 September, and Radio Pakistan reported another review on 17 October. That makes at least three publicly reported preparatory meetings in under two months.
Pakistan ECO Chairmanship and Why It Matters
Dawn reported that Dar was elected chairman of the Council of Ministers on 28 November 2025 at a virtual meeting, with Pakistan as incoming chair. APP reported that Pakistan chairs the council for 2026 to 2027 under the theme “Reviving Regionalism for a Resilient ECO.” The Islamabad gathering is the 30th Council of Ministers meeting, according to APP. The Pakistan ECO chairmanship therefore reaches its most visible moment this month.
Regional Connectivity and Trade Priorities
Pakistan set out its agenda in September. APP reported that Dar chaired the 27th informal ministerial meeting in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. He listed four priorities: deeper intra regional trade, stronger transit corridors linking Central Asia with the Arabian Sea, a digitally enabled ECO Free Trade Area and cooperation on climate resilience. APP added that Dar voiced deep concern about security in the region and the Middle East and called for peaceful resolution of disputes under international law. Foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Iran, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan attended, along with ECO Secretary General Dr Asad Majeed Khan.
Dawn reported that Dar told the November 2025 session Pakistan wants to finalise the ECO Vision 2026 to 2035 with members. Dawn said he cited Pakistan’s role in
“actively shaping regional transport cooperation”
and named the Islamabad, Tehran and Istanbul rail corridor among regional connectivity projects. He also pressed for customs harmonization and transit trade reforms, according to the Foreign Office statement Dawn cited.
Who Will Attend the ECO Council of Ministers Meeting?
Dawn reports that the organisation has 10 member states: Pakistan, Iran, Turkiye, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. It was founded in 1964 as the Regional Cooperation for Development by Pakistan, Iran and Turkiye and renamed in 1985. The reports reviewed by Tamrah News did not name which ministers will travel to Islamabad. Officials have not yet released a full list of ECO member states attending.
For comparison, The News reported that at the 28th meeting in Mashhad, Iran, in December 2024, Dar expressed concern over trade performance in the ECO region.
Conclusion
Dar’s latest review shows Pakistan is on schedule to host the ECO Council of Ministers meeting on 15 and 16 November. Pakistan has tied its agenda to regional connectivity, intra regional trade and the ECO Vision 2026 to 2035. Readers searching for the ECO ministerial meeting Islamabad, Ishaq Dar ECO meeting, Pakistan ECO chairmanship, ECO meeting November 15, Economic Cooperation Organization 2026 or ECO member states 2026 can expect further official announcements before the event.
