Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for a stronger role for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in promoting peace and stability, urging member states to respond collectively to rising geopolitical tensions and common challenges. Addressing the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, Shehbaz described the summit as historic and congratulated Kyrgyzstan on completing its chairmanship of the organisation. He also thanked President Sadyr Japarov and the Kyrgyz government for hosting the meeting. The prime minister said the SCO had become an important platform for global peace and stability and described the completion of its 25 years as a significant milestone. He said Pakistan remained an active and responsible member of the organisation and stressed the need to resolve disputes through peaceful means while respecting international law. “The SCO is a symbol of the collective resolve to address common challenges,” Shehbaz said. Asim Munir Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia discuss defence cooperation in Istanbul He highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts during recent regional crises, saying Islamabad had contributed to peace initiatives and played a role in advancing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which he described as an important step towards reducing regional tensions. The prime minister also called for a stronger multilateral system and urged international institutions to move beyond declarations and translate commitments into practical action. On Gaza and the West Bank, Shehbaz expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis and called on the international community to respect the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. He also stressed that South Asia could not realise its full potential without lasting regional peace. Water security was another issue raised by the prime minister. He described water as essential to the survival and future of the region and rejected its use as a political instrument or means of exerting pressure. He called for international agreements on water to be implemented fully and in good faith. Pakistan is set to assume the SCO Council of Heads of State chairmanship for 2026-27 and will host the organisation’s next summit in Islamabad in 2027. The two-day summit brought together leaders from China, Russia, Iran, India, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus, among other member states. On the sidelines of the summit, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held separate meetings with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov. During his meeting with Araghchi, Dar stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional tensions and said the implementation of the Islamabad MoU remained crucial to reducing tensions. Dar and Wang also reaffirmed the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and discussed matters including the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session and the selection of the next UN secretary-general. His meeting with Belarusian Foreign Minister Ryzhenkov covered bilateral relations, regional developments and other issues of mutual interest. Post navigation Balochistan Two suspected militants killed in Washuk operation
