PM Shehbaz Calls for Regional Cooperation, Multilateralism at SCO Summit

APP

Tianjin: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressed the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of State Council Meeting, stressing the importance of regional cooperation, structured dialogue, and multilateralism. He called on SCO leadership to initiate comprehensive discussions to resolve longstanding disputes in South Asia and underscored Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful, stable relations with all neighbors.

Highlighting Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, he stated: “We have lost over 90,000 lives and endured economic losses exceeding $152 billion. Those using terrorism for political interests must know the world no longer buys this narrative.” He specifically mentioned foreign involvement in terror incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Prime Minister also strongly condemned Israel’s military aggression against Gaza and attacks on Iran, reaffirming Pakistan’s support for a two-state solution and peace in the region. Regarding Afghanistan, he stressed Pakistan’s support for a peaceful, stable Afghanistan and expressed hope that trilateral cooperation with China would yield positive results.

Global Governance Initiative and Multilateralism
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed China’s launch of the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), describing it as a historic step toward a stronger multilateral system. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the UN Charter and will help make global governance more responsive to developing countries. Pakistan expressed willingness to actively participate and support the initiative.

He praised SCO’s vision for regional connectivity and economic integration, highlighting the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a flagship project. He urged for efficient land, air, and rail corridors to strengthen supply chains and called for innovation-driven growth within the SCO framework.

Economic Transformation and Youth Empowerment
Amid regional and global challenges, the Prime Minister outlined Pakistan’s economic recovery, citing reduced inflation, a current account surplus, and rising capital market activity. His economic strategy focuses on three pillars: export-led growth, foreign investment in key sectors including infrastructure, AI, IT, minerals, and energy, and comprehensive tax reforms.

He stressed youth empowerment as central to national development, creating meaningful employment and innovation opportunities while turning Pakistan’s large young population into a strategic asset.

Climate Change and Flood Response
Addressing climate-induced disasters, PM Shehbaz highlighted the devastating floods in Pakistan due to torrential rains, which have caused significant human and economic losses. He thanked the international community, especially China, for their solidarity and support. He emphasized that underdeveloped countries like Pakistan, which contribute minimally to global emissions, face disproportionate impacts of climate change and urged global leadership to act decisively.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties: Iran and Azerbaijan
On the sidelines of the SCO summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran, reviewing bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in Pakistan-Iran relations and reaffirmed commitments to regional peace, dialogue, and solidarity amid Pakistan’s ongoing flood crisis.

Similarly, PM Shehbaz met with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, discussing full-spectrum cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity, defense, education, and people-to-people exchanges. He congratulated President Aliyev on the historic peace agreement with Armenia, emphasizing regional connectivity and integration under multilateral frameworks like the SCO. Both leaders expressed support for Pakistan during the floods and pledged continued cooperation.