The 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit has officially begun in Islamabad, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivering the keynote address at the Jinnah Convention Centre. The summit, which is being held under tight security, has drawn leaders and representatives from across the region to discuss vital issues concerning regional cooperation and trade.
Among the key attendees are Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and other leaders from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Iran. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is representing his country, while Mongolia is participating as an observer, represented by its Prime Minister.
The focus of the summit is to strengthen regional cooperation, trade, and investment among SCO member states. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his opening remarks, welcomed the international leaders and emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing the region’s shared challenges.
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In addition to speeches by leaders from the participating countries, official documents are expected to be signed, solidifying agreements and initiatives aimed at enhancing cooperation. The event will conclude with remarks from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, followed by a media briefing led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the SCO Secretary General. A formal luncheon will also be hosted in honor of the visiting dignitaries.
On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held bilateral meetings with several leaders, including Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda, and Kazakhstan’s representative Olzhas Bektenov. Discussions during these meetings focused on boosting trade, investment, and regional connectivity, with an emphasis on enhancing cooperation in fields such as agricultural machinery, energy, and joint production of goods. Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with these nations to foster stronger ties under the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust and collaboration.
