PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit could not have come at a more crucial time.
As geopolitical tensions mount across the region ranging from the Iran-Israel conflict to India’s continued hostility towards Pakistan—his call for enhanced regional cooperation is both timely and transformative. The Prime Minister rightly emphasized that in this evolving global landscape, regional alliances are no longer optional—they are essential. In this context, ECO indeed represents Pakistan’s “best hope” for a unified, pragmatic and forward-looking response to regional challenges.
The prime minister’s remarks reflect a deep understanding of the pressing need for countries in the region to band together not only to preserve peace but also to unlock the immense economic potential that lies dormant. ECO, comprising 10 nations across Eurasia, offers an ideal platform for fostering mutual growth, improving connectivity and enhancing trade and investment links. The significance of regional integration cannot be overstated. The ECO region possesses vast natural and human resources, strategic geographical location and shared cultural and historical linkages. Improved infrastructure across borders is not just a logistical requirement; it is the very foundation upon which economic interdependence and people-to-people connections can flourish.
What is urgently required is a comprehensive and actionable roadmap for enhancing connectivity within the ECO bloc. This plan must be accompanied by clear milestones, funding mechanisms and implementation timelines. Projects such as cross-border railway lines, direct air routes and seamless road networks should be prioritized. If executed diligently, these steps could transform the ECO region into a vibrant corridor of trade, energy, tourism and innovation. Against this backdrop, the bilateral engagement between Pakistan and Azerbaijan on the sidelines of the ECO Summit stands out as a model of fruitful cooperation. The agreement signed by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov for a $2 billion investment in Pakistan, is a landmark development which reflects desire on both sides to further strengthen their relations in diverse fields while also encouraging other ECO members to pursue similar collaborative ventures.
