Premier highlights Pakistan\u2019s strategic location as an ideal trade route with CPEC complementing SCO\u2019s vision
\n islamabad
\nPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan\u2019s dedication to collaborating with other member states to bolster the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a unified regional forum for peace and prosperity.
\nAddressing the 24th summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Thursday in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, the premier highlighted the organisation\u2019s significant human and socio-economic potential, urging leaders to transcend partisan geopolitics for a peaceful future. \u201cI reaffirm Pakistan\u2019s commitment to working together to strengthen SCO as an active and integrated regional forum to achieve the common objective of peace and prosperity in line with the Shanghai spirit,\u201d the prime minister said.
\nTitled \u201cStrengthening Multilateral Dialogue \u2013 Striving Towards a Sustainable Peace and Prosperity,\u201d the summit is being attended by leaders from Pakistan, China, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, India and others.
\nThe PM emphasised the need to enhance connectivity within the SCO region and called for the implementation of efficient transport corridors and reliable supply chains. He noted that Pakistan\u2019s strategic location makes it an ideal trade conduit for the region, with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) complementing SCO\u2019s vision for regional connectivity and economic cooperation.
\nShehbaz proposed promoting the use of national currencies for mutual settlements within the SCO to mitigate international financial shocks and supported the creation of an SCO alternative development funding mechanism to advance stalled initiatives.
\nThe premier welcomed the SCO agreement on environmental protection and reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s commitment to a sustainable, nature-positive world. Highlighting the need for stability in Afghanistan.
\nThe PM also urged meaningful international engagement with the interim Afghan government to meet their economic and developmental needs while ensuring Afghan soil is not used for terrorism. Addressing terrorism, he called for a collective fight against all forms of extremism and emphasized respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the right to self-determination, referencing UNSC resolutions as a framework for resolving regional disputes.
\nExpressing concern over Israeli actions against Palestinians, Shehbaz urged the SCO to condemn Israeli atrocities and advocate for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al Sharif as the Palestinian capital.
\nThe premier also condemned the rise of Islamophobia, calling it a threat to humanity that must be universally outlawed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Premier highlights Pakistan\u2019s strategic location as an ideal trade route with CPEC complementing SCO\u2019s vision islamabad Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan\u2019s dedication to collaborating with other member states to bolster the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a unified regional forum for peace and prosperity. Addressing the 24th summit of the Council of Heads […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":416422,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-416405","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n