ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday emphasised on the need for advancing regional connectivity while unveiling his five-point way forward for the development of the region at a summit in the Tajik capital.
The premier was addressing SCO Council of Heads of State Meeting in Dushanbe. Khan proposed the following five-points.
“One,We must reaffirm our complete support for effective multilateralism and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including equality and sovereignty of states, respect for territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-use or threat of force, and peoples’ right for self-determination.
Two,We must strengthen our collective endeavours to mitigate the adverse economic impact of Covid-19 pandemic, including through the SCO Joint Advisory measures.
Three,We must chart out a coordinated SCO approach towards stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan — including through enhanced engagement to address our common concerns and safeguard our shared interests, steps to provide humanitarian support and ensure economic stability, and measures to enable Afghanistan to become a reliable partner in peace and prosperity.
Four,We must advance the agenda of regional connectivity. In this regard, taking the process forward, Pakistan would like to host a conference on the theme “Transport Connectivity for Regional Prosperity” in virtual mode in 2022.
“Five,We must, recognizing the immense potential of our youth, explore all possible avenues for their increased interface and empowerment. Pakistan would like to host a conference on “Youth Empowerment through Digital Economy” in 2022.”
Pakistan PM said that SCO cumulatively represents 44% of the world’s population, 25% of global landmass, and 20% the global GDP.
Impressive progress has been made in strengthening SCO’s normative and institutional basis, and in developing practical cooperation on SCO’s twin planks of security and socio-economic development, he said.
“While SCO has done well to respond to old and new challenges, the increasingly complex global environment and geo-political tensions would test our resolve in the times ahead,” he said.
He called for resistance to any drift towards bloc politics and stressed that peaceful coexistence and cooperation – not confrontation –should be the main drivers of global politics.
The Prime Minister also urged the international community to ensure there is no renewed conflict in Afghanistan and the security situation is stabilized there. This is a moment to stand by the Afghan people firmly and unequivocally. He said there is a rare opportunity to finally end the 40 years of war in Afghanistan and this moment should not be squandered.
Warning against the mischievous propaganda on the part of spoilers, Imran Khan said this will only serve to undermine the prospects for peace.
He said the Taliban must fulfill the pledges especially for an inclusive political structure. He said it is important to ensure respect for the rights of all Afghans, and that Afghanistan is never again a safe haven for terrorists.
The Prime Minister called for implementing the UN Security Council resolutions for peaceful settlement of outstanding disputes. He said unilateral and illegal measures to change the status of disputed territories in violation of Security Council resolutions run counter to this objective. He said such measures must be condemned and opposed firmly for being in violation of the SCO Charter and its well-established principles of inter-state relations.
As regards COVID-19, the Prime Minister stressed for strengthening collective endeavours to mitigate the adverse economic impact of the pandemic.
Read more: https://pakobserver.net/pm-imran-chinese-fm-meet-in-dushanbe-to-discuss-cpec-bilateral-ties/
