THE Regional Cooperation for Develop-ment (RCD) Pact was signed this day (July 21) back in 1964 in Istanbul, bringing Pakistan, Iran and Turkiye together in an alliance that lasted till 1979 when it was dissolved in the wake of the revolution in Iran. The three countries joined hands again in the mid-1980s under the banner of Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) which also had Afghanistan and a host of Central Asian Republics (CARs) as members. Today, there seems to be a need to revive the RCD and expand its membership to include China, Russia, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.

The RCD aimed at promoting regional cooperation and economic development. The changing geopolitical and economic landscape has made regional collaboration more important than ever. The revival of RCD has become even more necessary in view of India’s approach towards Pakistan, which has rendered the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) largely dysfunctional and unable to serve as a cohesive regional bloc. The region needs an alternative framework that may promote cooperation based on shared economic and strategic interests.

The strategic importance of Gwadar and Karachi ports has increased in the backdrop of recent developments in the region, including tensions involving Iran. These ports have the potential to serve as major regional trade and transit hubs, particularly if maritime routes in the Gulf face disruptions. The security partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia could also play an important role in shaping the future security architecture of the Gulf and West Asia, creating greater opportunities for regional cooperation.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an important platform for regional economic integration, and the time has come to fully realise its potential by linking it with a broader framework of regional cooperation. An expanded and revitalised RCD could provide a practical platform for economic partnerships, infrastructure development and trade.

Syed Jawaid Iqbal
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2026