As was widely anticipated by diplomatic observers, the successful conduct of the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has enabled Pakistan to show its capabilities in diplomacy, strategic affairs and economy. The mega event conveyed a vivid impression that the country has the potential to play a greater role in regional and global affairs and hopefully the relevant authorities would prove this as chair of the prestigious organization. Bright prospects are there as apart from the leadership of the friendly member states, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also assured full cooperation of his country to Pakistan during its tenure.
SCO is a significant platform bringing together nine important member countries besides 17 observers and dialogue partners making it an organization of 26 countries. The member states encompass a resource-rich region with one-fourth of global oil reserves and many other resources. These nations contribute to 41% of the world’s population and 23% of the world’s GDP. The combined GDP of SCO members is approximately 24.4 trillion USD. All this shows the huge potential of the organization and the resolve expressed by the leadership of the member states during the Islamabad summit augurs well for intensified cooperation among them in different fields. The summit agreed on the need for a comprehensive agenda for mutually beneficial cooperation in order to address the challenges facing the region and accelerate the pace of economic development in member states. However, much depends on actual planning and implementation for the purpose. The heads of delegation emphasized the importance of taking measures to develop port, logistics and railway infrastructure, scientific and technological innovations, the development of multi- and intermodal transport, modern logistics centres and human resources, digitalization and ensuring safety, including environmental initiatives, in railway transport. They confirmed that the member states, sharing the international community’s desire to strengthen interconnectivity, welcome initiatives of the SCO countries in the transport sphere aimed at developing mutually beneficial cooperation on a fair and balanced basis in accordance with international law, the goals and principles of the UN Charter and the SCO Charter. They also emphasized the need for broader and intensified cooperation for poverty alleviation, development of agriculture, food security, tourism, sports, climate change, health, education and culture. These commitments need to be translated into reality and this can be done if the two dominant member states – China and the Russian Federation – invest more energy, time and resources for strengthening regional cooperation from this platform. As for Pakistan, its leadership and relevant institutions, especially the Foreign Office deserves special appreciation for the hard work that enabled hosting of the conference in a constructive and friendly atmosphere. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief General Asim Munir fully utilized the opportunity to fortify Pakistan’s bilateral relations with different member countries of the SCO. The Prime Minister effectively put across the point of view of Pakistan on a number of issues of interest to the country without causing any friction with any member state. Apart from other things, he called for the expansion of flagship projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the International, North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to enhance integration and cooperation across the region. It is also a reality that Pakistan’s national statement at the summit, underscored the constructive role that SCO can play for sustainable development, enhance regional connectivity and economic integration, strengthen climate action, and poverty alleviation. During the summit, eight significant agreements were signed, focusing on issues like the SCO’s budget, the operations of its secretariat, and regional counterterrorism efforts. These agreements underscore the ongoing cooperation among SCO members in vital sectors such as security, trade, and economic development. It is hoped that the successful summit and bilateral meetings that the Pakistani leadership held with heads of delegations will go a long way in cementing the country’s ties with the member states.
