Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has landed in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, to attend the twin summits of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) and SCO Plus, scheduled for July 3 and 4.

He was received warmly by his Kazakh counterpart Oljas Bektenov at the airport. The prime minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and senior cabinet members and officers.

The PM will present Pakistan's perspectives on crucial regional and global issues during the Heads of State meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). According to a press release issued by the PM Office, he will also address the SCO Plus Summit.

وزیرِاعظم محمد شہباز شریف دوشنبہ سے قازقستان کے دارالحکومت آستانہ کے لیے روانہ

وزیرِاعظم پاکستان محمد شہباز شریف 3 اور 4 جولائی 2024 کو آستانہ، قازقستان میں شنگھائی تعاون تنظیم کونسل آف ہیڈز آف اسٹیٹ (CHS) کے اجلاس اور ایس سی او پلس (SCO Plus) کے سربراہی اجلاس میں شرکت کے لیے… pic.twitter.com/VkPX0FbtED
— PMLN Digital (@PMLNDigital) July 3, 2024

Shehbaz will present Pakistan's position on key regional and global issues, emphasizing the importance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for the welfare of the SCO region. He will additionally conduct meetings with other leaders participating in the summits.

The PM is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He is also expected to attend a round of trilateral meetings between Pakistan, Turkiye and Azerbaijan, expected to take place on Wednesday.

Also Read: Pakistan, Tajikistan sign strategic partnership agreement

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will be hosting a dinner reception for the heads of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization alongside the other participating leaders.

Earlier, Zokirzoda Mahmadtoir Zoir, the chairman of the Lower House of the Tajik Parliament of the Republic of Tajikistan, called on PM Sharif in Dushanbe.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the current status of bilateral relations. They expressed their satisfaction with the inter-parliamentary cooperation between both countries and agreed to strengthen the already constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups, including regular parliamentary exchanges, in order to further deepen bilateral ties.

Chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Lower House) of Majlisi Oli (Tajik Parliament) of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Zokirzoda Mahmadtoir Zoir called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Dushanbe, today.

During the meeting, the two leaders exchanged views on the… pic.twitter.com/MvLPAxjjpc
— PMLN Digital (@PMLNDigital) July 3, 2024

The PM emphasized that parliamentarians play a significant role in bringing the two countries closer and strongly advocated for their sustained interaction and engagement. He also congratulated the chairman on the approaching 30th anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the strategic partnership agreement between Pakistan and Tajikistan will enhance the already strong brotherly relations between the two countries.

Also Read: Shehbaz Sharif, Emomali Rahmon pledge to boost Pak-Tajik cooperation

During his two-day official visit to Tajikistan at President Rahmon’s invitation, Prime Minister Sharif and the Tajik president reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the existing relationship between the two nations, grounded in shared history, culture, geographical proximity, and common faith.

The discussions covered a wide range of bilateral cooperation areas, including trade, economy, investment, connectivity, culture, education, science and technology, defense, humanitarian aid, parliamentary exchanges, and people-to-people contacts.

They signed a strategic partnership agreement along with multiple memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements covering various sectors, including aviation, diplomacy, education, sports, social relations, industrial cooperation, and tourism.