Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust, respect, and shared prosperity during his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State (CHS) Summit.
He underscored Pakistan’s respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all SCO members and adherence to international treaties, urging all member states to uphold these principles. The premier also called for unhindered access to water resources under existing agreements.
Highlighting Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities, Sharif said Islamabad seeks normal relations with neighbors and favors dialogue and diplomacy over confrontation. He called for a comprehensive dialogue to resolve outstanding disputes in South Asia, stressing that regional peace is essential for development.
On security, the Prime Minister condemned terrorism in all forms, including state-sponsored acts, and recalled Pakistan’s sacrifices in combating the menace. He cited evidence of foreign involvement in recent terror incidents, including the Jaffar Express hostage crisis and attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Outlining his government’s economic transformation agenda, Sharif said the plan rests on three pillars—expanding trade, fostering innovation, and enhancing revenue generation. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), describing it as a vital driver of regional connectivity and trade integration.
Sharif strongly condemned Israel’s military offensive in Gaza and demanded an immediate ceasefire. He also denounced the attack on Iran, calling for stability across the SCO region. On Afghanistan, he stressed the need for meaningful engagement, warning that instability there threatens the entire region.
The summit adopted the Tianjin Declaration along with agreements on multilateral trade, artificial intelligence, scientific cooperation, green industry, and anti-narcotics efforts. The leaders also approved the SCO Development Strategy 2035.
Sharif welcomed Laos as a new SCO dialogue partner, praised President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative, and commended China’s leadership as SCO chair. On the sidelines, he held bilateral meetings with leaders of member and partner states to strengthen political and trade ties.
Since joining the SCO in 2017, Pakistan has actively participated in its initiatives and hosted the Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad in October 2024.
