ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the SCO Summit is another testament to the strength of their relations and collaboration among the diverse countries. He expressed these remarks during the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Islamabad.
Socio-Economic Progress
The Prime Minister emphasized that SCO has the potential to drive socio-economic progress, enhance regional stability, peace and to improve the quality of life for its citizens. He stressed this opportunity must be used to exchange ideas, share best practices as well as forge solid action plans that will benefit our economies. He expressed the optimism for wonderful results that will hopefully emerge from today’s valuable discussion and in-depth deliberations.
PM @CMShehbaz says reforming global financial architecture & trade regimes is essential to fostering development.He said Pakistan supports establishment of an #SCO alternative development funding mechanism. #SCOSummitPakistan #SCOSummit2024https://t.co/WZdG73peyI pic.twitter.com/Iw9WzVve7K
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) October 16, 2024
PM Shehbaz Calls on SCO Members to Work Together for Regional Prosperity
Shehbaz Sharif called upon the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members to work together for a well-connected, integrated and prosperous region. The PM said that Islamabad supports all SCO connectivity steps. The PM underscored the significance of the establishment of a robust SCO connectivity framework which should not boost regional trade but also advance the vision of connected Euro-Asia.
Afghanistan
Highlighting the significance of a stable Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said it is not only desirable but essential to completely realizing the great opportunities. Shehbaz Sharif urged the world to step forward with urgent humanitarian support for Afghanistan. He called upon Afghan interim government to ensure that their country is not misused for terrorism against its neighbors by any group.
Belt and Road Initiative
Shehbaz Sharif said that projects such as Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the International North South Transport Corridor must be extended focusing on developing rail, road, and digital infrastructure. He stated that they should not look at such projects via the narrow political prism and invest in our collective connectivity capacities which are important to advancing the shared vision of an economically integrated region. Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad welcomes the decisions to ensure and endorse the strategy for the development of energy cooperation 2030 and the formation of Association of Investors.
Earlier, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister received the delegates at the Jinnah Convention Centre Islamabad, followed by a group photo of the participating leaders. The delegates from the member nations and observer group are participating in the summit.
Prime Ministers of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan as well as Minister for Industry and Trade of Iran and External Affairs Minister of India are attending the meeting. China’s Premier Li Qiang is also taking part in the summit.
The Prime Minister of Mongolia as Observer State and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan as Special Guest are also attending the meeting.
The SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting are also discussing ongoing cooperation in fields of trade, economy, environment and socio-cultural linkages and review performance of the SCO.
On Tuesday, Shehbaz Sharif welcomed foreign dignitaries, at a special dinner for the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Islamabad.
At the dinner reception, Shehbaz Sharif warmly greeted and shake hands with the dignitaries, including Indian FM Jaishankar, in a rare encounter between the leaders of the two rival countries.
Pakistan’s federal capital has been adorned with colorful lights, floral decorations, and flags of the SCO member states to welcome the high-profile guests.
The SCO, founded in 2001 by China and Russia, now includes Pakistan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, and Iran, with 16 other countries affiliated as observers or dialogue partners.
