ISLAMABAD, Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (WNP): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday underscored Pakistan’s enduring commitment to democratic principles, good governance, sustainable development, and multilateral cooperation, highlighting the country’s role as a founding member of the Commonwealth.

The remarks were made during his interaction with Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon Shirley Botchway, where both leaders exchanged views on strengthening engagement between Pakistan and the Commonwealth in line with shared values and collective priorities.

Senator Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s long-standing association with the Commonwealth and emphasized Islamabad’s continued support for the organization’s core objectives, including democracy, inclusive development, and respect for the rule of law.

He noted that Pakistan attaches importance to multilateral platforms such as the Commonwealth in addressing global challenges through dialogue, cooperation, and consensus-building.

The meeting focused on exploring avenues to further deepen collaboration across key areas of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on enhancing intra-Commonwealth cooperation. Both sides discussed opportunities for greater coordination in areas such as institutional capacity-building, economic development, youth engagement, and good governance practices among member states.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchway welcomed Pakistan’s constructive role within the organization and acknowledged its contributions to advancing Commonwealth initiatives.

She emphasized the importance of active participation by member states in promoting shared values and strengthening collective responses to emerging global and regional challenges.

The interaction reflected a convergence of views on the need to revitalize Commonwealth partnerships and reinforce multilateral cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world. Both leaders expressed confidence that closer engagement would contribute to advancing the Commonwealth’s development agenda while supporting the aspirations of its diverse membership.

Pakistan’s reaffirmation of its commitment comes at a time when multilateral institutions are playing a critical role in fostering cooperation, stability, and sustainable development across regions, with the Commonwealth continuing to serve as a key platform for dialogue and collaboration among its 56 member states.