Among the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Pakistan stands out as an essential player, contributing to the organization’s goals and playing a vital role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of South Asia and Central Asia. Pakistan’s strategic location, economic potential and commitment to regional peace make it an indispensable asset within the SCO, which has emerged as a prominent regional alliance, fostering cooperation and stability among its member states.
In recent years, Pakistan has achieved a great prestige and importance in the SCO after successfully completing a number of projects under the multi-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
As a member of the SCO, Pakistan’s strategic location provides a gateway for the organization to expand its influence and connectivity across these regions. Moreover, Pakistan’s long-standing relationship with China, both bilaterally and through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), reinforces the SCO’s aim of fostering economic cooperation and connectivity.
From the time when Pakistan was admitted as a full member, it has been endeavoring to work in concert with this very important regional organization, which represents the largest geographical bloc in the world and has also now become the biggest bloc in terms of population with the inclusion of Pakistan and India. Pakistan has acquired further importance because of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). In that sense it is a tremendous achievement and also presents a big opportunity to Pakistan.
Pakistan has consistently advocated for peaceful resolutions to regional conflicts and has played a pivotal role in facilitating dialogue among SCO member states. As a nuclear-armed nation, Pakistan’s commitment to regional stability and conflict resolution is of paramount importance.
While addressing the 23rd Meeting of SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) virtually, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has aptly called for pragmatic actions by the member states to address the common challenges of economic recession, terrorism and climate change.
The invitation to Prime Minister Sharif to attend the SCO-CHS, which was held in a video conference format, was extended by the prime minister of India in his capacity as the current chair of the SCO. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Modi, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmonov, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi joined the virtual moot among other leaders of the observer states.
Pakistan, due to its close friendship with China and because of the emergence of independent states in Central Asia, has always been interested in promoting regional connectivity and itself as a pivotal state or as a bridge, especially for landlocked Central Asian states. Pakistan has been very much interested in projecting itself and its interests within the region.
The SCO, in turn, provides Pakistan with a platform to enhance its regional influence, build stronger diplomatic ties and pursue its national interests. Therefore, it is imperative for the SCO and its member states to recognize and appreciate Pakistan’s significance within the organization and harness its potential for a prosperous and secure future in the region.
