Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Sohail Mahmood, the Secretary General-designate of the D-8 organization, to discuss future plans and the strategic direction of the group. The meeting was confirmed by the Foreign Office, with spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi highlighting the importance of the discussion.
Sohail Mahmood briefed the Deputy Prime Minister on his upcoming responsibilities at the D-8 Secretariat and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the organization’s objectives in alignment with the vision of the D-8 leadership. Mahmood, a former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan and former Director General of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), brings extensive diplomatic experience to the role.
Deputy PM Ishaq Dar congratulated Mahmood on his appointment and expressed best wishes for his tenure. He described D-8 as “very effective and viable” and emphasized that Mahmood’s leadership could revitalize the organization, strengthening both bilateral and multilateral relations among member countries.
The D-8, formally known as the Developing Eight, is a group of eight developing Muslim-majority countries aiming to enhance economic cooperation, trade, and development. Mahmood’s appointment is expected to further boost collaboration in trade, infrastructure, and diplomatic engagements within the organization.
Officials noted that the meeting also highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the D-8’s initiatives and promoting regional economic stability through active participation.
