THE SCO Summit held in Islamabad on October 15, 2024, stands as a significant milestone for Pakistan on the global stage. While Pakistan has hosted several high-profile international conferences, including the Islamic Summit Conferences of 1974 and 1997 and regional events like SAARC and ECO, the SCO gathering represents an unprecedented moment, drawing together both Muslim and non-Muslim nations under one umbrella. This summit presents Pakistan with a unique opportunity to project its positive image to the world, yet the global media’s attention to this momentous event appears somewhat muted. The SCO Summit can be examined from two primary perspectives. First, the organization itself operates under a well-defined agenda and charter, focusing on a wide range of objectives, from counterterrorism under the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) to economic cooperation. Like other major international blocs such as the G7, G20, QUAD, and NATO, the SCO holds immense importance on the global stage. It covers 65% of Eurasia’s landmass and represents over 40% of the world’s population. Yet, despite its global significance, the enduring tensions between member states – Pakistan and India – cast a shadow over the unity and effectiveness of this organization. Nonetheless, for Pakistan, the summit offers more than just an opportunity to further the SCO’s goals—it provides a platform for high-level bilateral engagements with key global leaders.
Among the most critical diplomatic meetings is between Pakistan’s leadership and China’s Premier Li Qiang, whose visit to Pakistan extends beyond mere participation in the SCO Summit. Li’s trip is officially recognized as a bilateral visit, reflecting the ever-deepening strategic ties between Islamabad and Beijing. On the very day of his arrival, Premier Li’s schedule included several bilateral meetings that underscored the strength of Sino-Pakistani relations. His presence sends a resounding message to the world: that China and Pakistan’s relationship remains unshakable and no terrorist activity can derail their shared objectives. One of the key outcomes of Premier Li’s visit was the exchange of documents from the 7th Joint Working Group meeting on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), focusing particularly on Gwadar. With Gwadar at the heart of CPEC, the future looks bright, especially with the further development of the Karakoram Highway and discussions surrounding the completion of the M8 motorway—critical infrastructure that will facilitate large-scale trade between China and Pakistan. In a significant symbolic gesture, the prime ministers of both countries virtually inaugurated the Gwadar International Airport, marking a major milestone in the operationalization of Gwadar as a vital trade hub. The successful launch of the airport signals that Gwadar’s role in regional trade is poised to expand further, bringing prosperity not only to Pakistan but to the region at large.
Beyond infrastructure, Pakistan and China also signed agreements spanning various sectors, from establishing joint laboratories to introducing smart classrooms, addressing food security challenges and boosting human resource development. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on currency exchange between the State Bank of Pakistan and the People’s Bank of China was also signed to ease business cooperation, symbolizing the expanding scope of economic integration between the two countries. Additionally, Pakistan’s leadership seized the opportunity to discuss key economic and strategic matters, such as Independent Power Producers (IPPs), the Chashma Nuclear Plant and the establishment of economic zones. These discussions reaffirm Pakistan’s robust economic and strategic partnership with China. Meanwhile, the arrival of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin at the summit highlighted the growing importance of Pakistan-Russia relations. Just a few months earlier, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister had visited Pakistan and the two nations recently signed a historic barter trade agreement. This newfound economic partnership traces its roots back to the thaw in relations initiated by the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s groundbreaking visit to Russia in 1999, which paved the way for enhanced defense cooperation, including Pakistan’s acquisition of Mi-35 helicopters in 2015. Under the current government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, efforts are underway to procure additional military hardware from Russia, and there is growing Russian interest in either reviving Pakistan Steel Mills or setting up a new plant. This evolving partnership holds promise for Pakistan’s industrial development.
On a broader regional level, the SCO Summit also facilitated interactions with Central Asian leaders, underscoring the strategic importance of connecting Pakistan with the energy-rich states of Central Asia. Notable among these is the CASA-1000 energy project which aims to bring electricity from Central Asia to Pakistan. In fact, the Iranian Vice President’s participation in the summit was of particular significance. His separate meetings with Pakistani officials come at a time when the situation in Gaza remains volatile. Both Iran and Pakistan share a unified perspective on the Gaza issue, and there is a growing fear that the violence could escalate into a wider regional conflict, further destabilizing the Middle East. The SCO Summit in Islamabad was, without question, a historic moment for Pakistan, offering a platform for forging new partnerships and strengthening existing ones. It has allowed Pakistan to demonstrate its geopolitical significance, not only within the SCO but also on the broader international stage. With China and Russia showing increasing interest in deepening their ties with Pakistan and Central Asian states seeking closer cooperation, this summit marked a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s foreign relations. However, the challenge now is for Pakistan to capitalize on these opportunities, ensuring that the world recognizes the significance of this event and that the relationships forged here translate into tangible benefits for the nation and the region at large.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Turbat, Balochistan.
