— Use of Afghan soil for terrorism must be stopped: PM tells SCO Summit
— Stresses need for regional unity, tackling terrorism, poverty, and climate change
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on Wednesday for the expansion of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to enhance regional cooperation.
He was addressing heads of government meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a Eurasian security and political group formed in 2001, being held in Islamabad and attended by officials from 11 countries, including host Pakistan, China, Russia and India.
“Flagship projects like the Belt and Road Initiative of President Xi Jinping…should be expanded focusing on developing road, rail and digital infrastructure that enhances integration and cooperation across our region,” Sharif said in his speech as the chair of the meeting.
The BRI is a $1 trillion plan for global infrastructure and energy networks that China launched a decade ago to connect Asia with Africa and Europe through land and maritime routes. Beijing’s rivals see the BRI as a tool for China to spread its geopolitical and economic influence.
Western countries, under the G7 platform, last year announced a $600 billion plan to launch a rival connectivity infrastructure development plan. BRI has also been criticised for increasing unsustainable debt in developing countries.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a part of the BRI and has seen Beijing pump billions of dollars into the South Asian country for road networks, a strategic port and an airport.
Sharif said CPEC would also help enhance cooperation, adding that 40% of the world’s population lived in SCO’s 10 full member states.
The SCO meeting is the highest-profile event hosted by the troubled South Asian nation in years. Seven prime ministers are attending, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Sharif also said stability in neighbouring Afghanistan, which lies between South and Central Asia, was essential to fully realising trade opportunities for the SCO member states.
Also in attendance is India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who is the first Indian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in nearly a decade with ties between the nuclear-armed rival neighbours continuing to be frosty.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the use of Afghan soil for terrorism must be stopped as he urged stronger regional cooperation to address shared challenges.
“Regional cooperation and connectivity are essential for sustainable development,” Shehbaz Sharif said in his opening address. “We must seize the opportunities available to provide a better standard of living and amenities for our people.”
Shehbaz Sharif noted that SCO member countries make up 40% of the world’s population, highlighting the organisation’s potential to drive global progress.
He also urged the need to focus on tourism, green development, and energy sectors. He also stressed that efforts to eradicate poverty should be prioritised, considering it a moral and economic issue.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed optimism that the 23rd meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will produce beneficial outcomes for regional economies and uplift its people.
The Prime Minister welcomed guests to Islamabad and highlighted that the summit represents the collective voice and aspirations of over 40% of the world’s population.
He emphasized that the attendance of SCO leaders underscores their shared commitment to promoting cooperation, sustainable development, and regional prosperity.
“The 23rd SCO CHG is a testament to the strength of ties among member states and the collaboration among diverse nations,” he stated.
The Prime Minister noted that SCO countries possess immense potential to foster development, regional peace, and stability, as well as improve the quality of life for their citizens. He urged participants to use the summit as a platform for exchanging ideas and sharing best practices to enhance economic cooperation for the betterment of their societies.
The summit, held at Jinnah Convention Centre, brought together leaders from key member states, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and counterparts from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Arif and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar were also in attendance, with Mongolia participating as an observer.
Security, Climate, and Economic Cooperation
Shehbaz Sharif outlined several key areas of focus for the summit, including economic cooperation, regional stability, and climate change.
He pointed out that Pakistan had been heavily impacted by the effects of climate change, referencing the devastating 2022 floods which displaced millions and caused severe damage to agriculture and infrastructure.
He urged SCO nations to devise a collective strategy to mitigate these effects and strengthen regional resilience.
“The impact of climate change is being felt worldwide, and Pakistan has been particularly hard-hit,” Shehbaz Sharif said.
“We must work together to address these challenges,” he added.
Afghan Stability and Terrorism Concerns
Addressing the issue of Afghanistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed the need to prevent the use of Afghan soil for terrorism, calling for international attention to humanitarian assistance in the country.
“Afghanistan plays a crucial role in regional stability, but terrorism from Afghan soil must stop,” he said.
He also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in transportation and energy sectors within the region.
Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), now entering its second phase, as a significant contributor to regional development.
He called the Belt and Road Initiative a key driver for economic growth across the region.
Poverty Reduction and Social Development
In his address, Shehbaz Sharif also focused on poverty alleviation, describing it as both an economic and moral issue.
He urged SCO members to prioritise efforts aimed at eradicating poverty through addressing its root causes and expanding economic opportunities.
The prime minister concluded by thanking the heads of state for their participation in the summit, expressing hope that the discussions would lead to productive outcomes for all member states.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sharif welcomed the attending leaders at the venue before a group photo was taken.
Leaders from various SCO member states in attendance include:
- Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of China
- Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of Belarus
- Olzhas Bektenov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
- Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of Russia
- Kohir Rasulzoda, Prime Minister of Tajikistan
- Abdulla Aripov, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan
- Zhaparov Akylbek, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan
- Seyyed Mohammad Atabek, Trade Minister of Iran
- Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India
Additionally, Mongolia participated in the summit as an Observer State, represented by Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, while Turkmenistan attended as a Special Guest, represented by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Rashid Meredov.
