Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir emphasized Pakistan’s interests during a luncheon hosted by President Asif Ali Zardari in honor of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who is visiting Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. Addressing journalists, General Munir stated, “Our agenda is solely Pakistan; we are focused only on Pakistan and want its success.”
The 23rd SCO summit is taking place in Islamabad today, on October 16, 2024, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set to preside over the event and deliver the opening address. Notable attendees include the prime ministers of China, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, as well as India’s foreign minister. Delegations from seven other member states will also participate.
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Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang arrived in Islamabad earlier on Monday, while Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is expected to join on the eve of the summit. Other delegations from Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan will be in attendance, and Mongolia’s prime minister will participate as an observer.
The summit aims to evaluate the SCO’s performance and enhance cooperation among member states. Islamabad has been beautifully decorated for the two-day event, with electric lights and screens along key routes, creating a festive atmosphere for the high-profile gathering.