Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for investing in the region\u2019s collective capacity for connectivity as he chaired the 23rd Shan\u00adghai Cooperation Organi\u00adsation (SCO) summit in Islamabad on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The SCO comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus \u2014 with 16 more countries affiliated as observers or \u201cdialogue partners\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pakistan\u00a0became a full member<\/a>\u00a0of the SCO at its 2017 summit in Kazakhstan, which was attended by ex-PM Nawaz Sharif, who recently also\u00a0expressed hope<\/a>\u00a0for reviving ties with India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the current Chair of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG), PM Shehbaz presided over its 23rd meeting, which took place at the Jinnah Convention Centre in the federal capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Addressing the summit, the premier said: \u201cFlagship projects like the Belt and Road Initiative of President Xi Jinping; the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is in its second phase; and the international north-south transport corridor should be expanded, focusing on developing road, rail and digital infrastructure [\u2026].<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet us not look at such projects through the narrow political prism, and invest in our collective connectivity capacity which is crucial in advancing the shared vision of an economically integrated region,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prime minister said the SCO connectivity framework \u201cshould not merely boost regional trade but also advance the vision of connected Eurasia\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He noted that economic collaboration was at the heart of SCO engagement and that investment in regional infrastructure was \u201cindispensable for promoting economic integration\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PM Shehbaz called on the SCO members to \u201cendorse a strategy for the development of Energy Cooperation 2030 and the establishment of the Association of Investors\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prime minister later said he was honoured to chair the summit. \u201cI am confident that, together, we can build a bright future for the people of SCO region and beyond,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Ahead of the summit, PM Shehbaz welcomed the leaders of SCO member states and posed for pictures with each of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The premier also spoke on poverty, climate change, and regional financial architecture, among other things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prime minister asserted that poverty was not just an economic issue but a \u201cmoral imperative that demands collective attention with millions living in poverty within the SCO region\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlighting Pakistan\u2019s efforts as the chair of the SCO\u2019s special working group on poverty, PM Shehbaz said his country facilitated several seminars and webinars aimed at poverty alleviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe shall continue to provide the required impetus to a collective effort to address root causes of poverty and uplift the quality of life for our people,\u201d he pledged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking about climate change, PM Shehbaz recalled the devastating floods of 2022<\/a>, \u201cwhen millions of people in this country were living under open skies, millions of acres of standing crops were washed away, millions of houses were all drowned\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pakistan\u2019s economy suffered losses worth approximately $30 billion \u201cfor no fault of ours\u201d, he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Referring to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as a tech-driven system which was \u201cone of its own kind in the world\u201d, PM Shehbaz said: \u201cWe look forward to organising simulation exercises with SCO partners to bolster disaster preparedness across the region.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUnilateral coercive measures and protectionist policies run contrary to principles of international law,\u201d the premier said, adding that this stifled economic growth, hindered tech advancement and exacerbated inequality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cReforming the global financial architecture and trade regimes is essential to fostering equitable global development,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPakistan supports the establishment of an SCO alternative development funding mechanism, which could provide the impetus needed for the revival of stalled development projects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prime minister noted: \u201cGrowing consensus among the member states on the use of mutual currencies for settlements is a promising development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe SCO interbank union is an appropriate forum to address banking challenges and moving towards settlement with mutual currencies will shield us from global financial disruptions,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Endorsing reforms aimed at enhancing regional anti-terrorist structure, PM Shehbaz stressed that the \u201ctrue essence of the SCO extends beyond political alliances and economic partnerships\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He concluded his address by reaffirming Pakistan\u2019s deep commitment to fostering people-to-people ties to \u201cbridge divides and promote harmony\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the outset of his main address, PM Shehbaz highlighted: \u201cWe are at a historic moment of transition where sweeping transformations are reshaping the global, social, political, economic and security landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Calling the SCO platform a \u201cbeacon of multilateralism\u201d, he added: \u201cI stand resolute in the belief that we possess not only the potential but the collective well to forge a future more prosperous, stable and secure for our people \u2014 a future inclusive and reflective of shared aspirations of all member states.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The premier recalled that when assuming the role of the SCO CHG chair, Pakistan had reaffirmed its \u201ccommitment to regional peace, stability and enhanced connectivity and sustainable socio-economic development\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur collaboration, joint teamwork expands academic and tourism linkages, poverty alleviation and the empowerment of women and youth across the SCO region \u2014 a reflection and commitment of our determination to promote prosperity through unity,\u201d PM Shehbaz asserted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He went on to note that during Pakistan\u2019s chairmanship, the SCO economic preference base enhanced cooperation between trade promotion organisations, creative economy framework, and the SCO new economic dialogue programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the premier added, it was \u201cnow imperative we shift to tangible action through coordinated implementation, strengthening our cooperation in the vital sectors of trade and economy\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PM Shehbaz then spoke about Afghanistan, which \u201cby virtue of contiguity with our region, presents an invaluable and rare opportunity for trade and transit benefiting all SCO members\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA stable Afghanistan is not only desirable but essential to fully realising these great opportunities. The international community must step forward with urgent humanitarian support while calling upon the Afghan interim government to embrace political inclusivity,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This, the premier said, would ensure \u201cAfghan soil is not misused for terrorism against neighbours by any entity\u201d \u2014 echoing concerns\u00a0raised<\/a>\u00a0by Pakistan previously at international platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In his closing remarks at the event, PM Shehbaz took the opportunity to highlight the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where more than 42,000 Palestinians \u2014 with the expected death toll higher \u2014 have been killed in Israel\u2019s military offensive ongoing for the past year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBefore concluding, let me say that we cannot ignore the ongoing genocide in Gaza,\u201d the premier said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe international community bears the responsibility to ensure an immediate and unconditional ceasefire leading to the establishment of the State of Palestine on the basis of pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds as its capital.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prime minister also called on the SCO members to \u201cprioritise collaboration over political differences and divisions, [\u2026] and work hand in hand\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PM Shehbaz then handed over the CHG\u2019s chairmanship to Russia\u2019s PM Mikhail Mishustin, assuring him of Pakistan\u2019s fullest support to their presidency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI would like to convey my sincere thanks to all those who have worked with great commitment to ensure the smooth conduct of this meeting, in particular, our interpreters,\u201d the premier concluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, in his\u00a0address<\/a>\u00a0at the summit, India\u2019s Minister for External Affairs Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishan\u00adkar again highlighted the issue of alleged cross-border terrorism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Indian foreign minister had also raised the issue<\/a> at the SCO Foreign Ministers Council in May 2023, when his home country had hosted the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Referring to the SCO charter, the Indian minister said progressing in one\u2019s endeavours meant \u201cbeing firm and uncompromising in countering the \u2018three evils\u2019\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf activities across borders are characterised by terrorism, extremism and separatism, they are hardly likely to encourage trade, energy flows, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges in parallel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Addressing the summit in his neighbouring country, he said: \u201cIf trust is lacking or cooperation inadequate, if friendship has fallen short and good neighbourliness is missing somewhere, there are surely reasons to introspect and causes to address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEqually, it is only when we reaffirm our commitment most sincerely to the Charter that we can fully realise the benefits of cooperation and integration that it envisages.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jaishankar stressed that \u201ccooperation must be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality\u201d, adding that it should \u201crecognise territorial integrity and sovereignty\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt cannot progress if we cherry-pick global practices, especially of trade and transit [\u2026] It is axiomatic that development and growth requires peace and stability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The minister noted that the summit attendees were meeting at a \u201cdifficult time in world affairs\u201d. \u201cTwo major conflicts are underway, each with its own global repercussions,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlighting the impacts of the Covid pandemic and extreme climate events, as well as concerns raised by debt and new technology, he asked: \u201cHow should the members of the SCO respond to these challenges?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe answers lie in the Charter of our organisation,\u201d he continued, referring to the SCO\u2019s objectives of strengthening \u201cmutual trust, friendship and good neighbourliness\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the outset of his address, Jaishankar congratulated Pakistan for its presidency of the CHG, adding, \u201cIndia has extended its full support for a successful presidency.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a post on X<\/a> following the summit, the minister termed the meeting \u201cproductive\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSigned eight outcome documents. India made a positive and constructive contribution to the deliberations,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n He later thanked PM Shehbaz and FM Dar for the \u201chospitality and courtesies\u201d during his visit as he left for India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In his opening remarks, PM Shehbaz told the summit: \u201cIt gives me immense pleasure to welcome our distinguished guests to Islamabad, the green and beautiful capital of Islamabad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He highlighted that the SCO \u201cembodies the collective voice and wishes of over 40 per cent of the global population anchored in the Shanghai spirit\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour presence here today underscores our shared commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of our people to ensure collective security and to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation for sustainable development and prosperity of the SCO region,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He termed the summit \u201canother testament to the strength of our ties and collaboration among our diverse nations\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTogether, we have the potential to drive socio-economic progress, enhance regional peace and stability, and to improve the quality of life for our citizens,\u201d the premier said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PM Shehbaz called on the leaders to use the SCO meeting to \u201cexchange ideas, share best practices and forge concrete action plans that will benefit our economies and societies\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He expressed his hope for \u201cwonderful outcomes that will emerge from our in-depth deliberations\u201d. The premier then moved a motion through which the day\u2019s agenda was adopted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A flurry of activities was planned for throughout the day, according to a programme released by the foreign ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A group photo was taken after leaders of SCO nations arrived at the JCC, where they were received by PM Shehbaz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prime minister\u2019s opening remarks were followed by statements from other member states. The summit speakers then signed documents related to the day\u2019s agenda, after which PM Shehbaz offered the concluding remarks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the afternoon, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and SCO Secretary General Zhang Ming will brief the media about the highlights of the summit. This would be followed by \u201cofficial luncheons\u201d by PM Shehbaz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leaders from SCO member states arrived in Islam\u00adabad<\/a> on Tuesday for the SCO meeting, where discussions will cen\u00adter around trade, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity within the Eurasian political and security bloc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The summit will app\u00adr\u00adove the organisation\u2019s bud\u00adget and address key issues related to economic collaboration among member states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The meeting is being attended by the heads of government of eight member states, while Iran and India will be represented by their trade and external affairs ministers, respectively, after Iranian first vice president Mohammad Reza Aref had to pull out at the last minute due to the evolving regional situation requiring his presence in Tehran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From China, Premier Li Qiang will be attending the summit, with his Monday visit to Pakistan being the first by a Chinese premier in 11 years<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mongolia is participating as an observer state, and Turkmenistan has be\u00aden invited as a special guest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Representatives from int\u00ade\u00adr\u00adnational organisations, inc\u00adluding the Conference on Interaction and Confi\u00addence Building Measures in Asia, the Commonwealth of Inde\u00adpendent States, and the European Economic Community, are also attending the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Tuesday, the first day of the two-day SCO summit, heads and delegates of various SCO member states continued to arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those arriving included Russia\u2019s PM Mikhail Mishustin, Tajikistan\u2019s PM Qohir Rasulzoda, Kazakhstan\u2019s PM Olzhas Bektenov and Belarus\u2019 PM Roman Golovchenko, as well as Turkmenistan\u2019s foreign minister Rashid Meredov.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PM Shehbaz also held bilateral meetings<\/a> with the leaders representing Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Turkmenistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the evening, the prime minister hosted a welcome dinner<\/a> for the dignitaries from various member states, where footage showed him welcoming and shaking hands with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the guests was India\u2019s Jaishan\u00adkar, with whom PM Shehbaz also had a brief exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Jiashankar\u2019s visit was an \u201cice breaker\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNeither us nor them requested for a bilateral meeting \u2026 but I believe his arrival here is an ice breaker,\u201d Tarar said on the sidelines of the summit today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYesterday, when all the leaders were being welcomed and there were handshakes, I think positive images were sent out globally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarar later hailed the SCO Summit as a \u201cvictory\u201d in a televised address, saying that the public could expect benefits within the coming days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPakistan made its mark on the world stage,\u201d Tarar said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur guests praised Pakistan\u2019s role in the region. I believe this is a victory for Pakistan and I am grateful to those who attended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is a matter of pride that a conference of this calibre has been held after 27 years,\u201d the minister added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarar added that the conference would not only have long-term benefits but \u201cthere will be benefits in the coming days\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe PM had bilateral meetings with the Russian prime minister on trade and investment,\u201d he said. \u201cThese will yield great fruit for the Pakistani economy.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for investing in the region\u2019s collective capacity for connectivity as he chaired the 23rd Shan\u00adghai Cooperation Organi\u00adsation (SCO) summit in Islamabad on Wednesday. The SCO comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus \u2014 with 16 more countries affiliated as observers or \u201cdialogue partners\u201d. Pakistan\u00a0became a […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":8906,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[80,396,342],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8905","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asia","category-latest","category-politics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asiafreepress.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8905"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asiafreepress.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asiafreepress.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asiafreepress.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asiafreepress.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8905"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.asiafreepress.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8905\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asiafreepress.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8906"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asiafreepress.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8905"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asiafreepress.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8905"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asiafreepress.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8905"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\u2018Poverty a moral imperative, climate change an existential crisis\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>SCO a \u2018beacon of multilateralism\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Cannot ignore ongoing genocide in Gaza\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>India\u2019s Jaishankar says \u2018activities across borders are characterised by terrorism\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Let\u2019s forge concrete action plans\u2019: PM says in opening remarks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Programme today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Attending members<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>First day of the summit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Indian FM\u2019s visit to Pakistan an \u2018ice breaker\u2019: Tarar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n