Pakistan urges economic collaboration among SCO member states

Pakistan on Wednesday urged economic collaboration among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states as a two-day leaders’ summit of the organization began in the capital Islamabad.

Speaking at the 23rd SCO summit's opening session Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed the importance of investing in regional infrastructure, particularly in transport and energy sectors, to enhance economic integration. He highlighted that such collaboration is crucial for driving progress within the region.
Rejecting 'unilateral coercive measures and protectionist policies,' Sharif emphasized that these approaches go against international law. He also advocated for the establishment of a strong SCO connectivity framework that would not only facilitate regional trade but also advance the broader vision of a more connected Eurasia.
Sharif referenced key regional initiatives such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the International North-South Transport Corridor, suggesting that expanding these projects—especially in road, rail, and digital infrastructure—would further promote regional integration and cooperation.
Additionally, Sharif expressed Pakistan's support for the creation of an SCO alternative development funding mechanism, which could help revive stalled development projects across the region.
Addressing climate change, Sharif described it as an 'existential crisis' with global repercussions, urging collective action to mitigate its effects. He also called for urgent international humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan and encouraged the Afghan interim government to adopt political inclusivity while ensuring its territory is not used for terrorism against neighboring countries.
The summit saw participation from 12 countries, including China’s Premier Li Qiang, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and leaders from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, India, and Iran.
The SCO, established in 2001, initially comprised six member countries—Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—before expanding to include India and Pakistan in 2017, Iran in 2023, and Belarus this year. Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status, and the organization includes 14 dialogue partners, such as Türkiye.