Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the 24th summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan, emphasizing the organization's crucial role in regional peace and security.
During his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the beauty of Astana, expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by Kazakhstan and underscored the significance of SCO's efforts towards social and economic development in member states as well as its role in maintaining peace and security in the region.
He congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping on assuming the SCO chairmanship for the upcoming year and commended SCO's initiatives for environmental protection.
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Highlighting global challenges, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the pressing issue of climate change and stressed the need for collaborative efforts to achieve sustainable development goals and prosperity. "As leaders, it is our responsibility to rise above partisan geopolitics and join hands to secure a peaceful and prosperous future for our peoples," he remarked.
The PM pointed out that Pakistan's location makes it an ideal trade conduit for the entire region, saying that CPEC, the flagship project of Belt and Road initiative, also supplements SCO's vision for regional connectivity and economic interaction.
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"Pakistan supports the proposal of an SCO alternate development fund mechanism to give impetus to various stalled initiatives,” he suggested, emphasizing Pakistan's commitment to contributing to prosperity under the SCO Charter.
Welcoming the SCO agreement on environment protection, Shehbaz said Pakistan remained committed to working for a sustainable and nature-positive world. "We have to work together to end poverty," he stressed.
Regarding Afghanistan, the prime minister reiterated Pakistan's desire for peace in the region. He urged the international community to engage meaningfully with the interim Afghan government in order to meet their economic needs. Similarly, the interim Afghan government must also implement effective measures to prevent the utilization of its territory for terrorist activities against any other nation, he emphasized.
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“Recent terror activities have been a matter of great concern for all of us. Terrorism and extremism by individuals, groups or states must be fought collectively in a comprehensive fashion. Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism, must be condemned in clear and unambiguous terms. There can neither be any justification for killing innocent people nor should the bogey of terrorism be used for political point-scoring,” he added, and emphasized outlawing Islamophobia universally.
Turning to international issues, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif voiced Pakistan's support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue, reaffirming the establishment of a Palestinian state with Al-Quds as its capital along pre-1967 borders. He condemned Israel's actions in Gaza and expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis affecting Palestinians.
Later, the premier wrote on his X account that he delivered Pakistan’s national statement at the SCO Council of Heads of States meeting. He further said that he reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to the SCO Charter & principles, "conveyed our support for SCO’s expansion & reform, called for collective action for socioeconomic development, enhanced connectivity, maintaining peace & security, combating terrorism, dealing with climate change, alleviating poverty, and above all, ensuring observance of principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to self determination".
"Called for resolution of long-standing disputes through UNSC resolutions. Strongly urged for peace in Gaza as well as peace & stability in Afghanistan. Pakistan looks forward to welcoming the SCO family at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad this October."
