BISHKEK – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for water resources to be kept out of political disputes, stressing that water is vital to the survival of the region and the future of generations to come.
Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, the prime minister said the SCO had emerged as an important platform for promoting global peace and stability. He described the organisation’s completion of 25 years as a significant milestone and reaffirmed Pakistan’s role as an active and responsible member.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said the international environment was facing growing geopolitical tensions, while the SCO represented a collective commitment to addressing common challenges. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and respect for international law.
Referring to recent regional tensions, he said the crisis had highlighted the importance of secure energy corridors. Pakistan, he added, had played an effective role in promoting peace during the regional crisis, with its diplomatic efforts contributing to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
He described the memorandum as an important step towards reducing tensions in the region and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable regional peace.
The prime minister said South Asia could not realise its full potential without lasting peace. He emphasised that water was essential to the region’s survival and the future of its people.
“Using water for political purposes or as an instrument of pressure is unacceptable,” he said, stressing that international agreements must be implemented fully, both in letter and in spirit.
Speaking about the situation in Palestine, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank had caused unimaginable suffering. He urged the international community to respect the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
On terrorism, he described it as one of the most serious threats facing the region. Pakistan, he said, had sacrificed more than 90,000 lives in the fight against terrorism and suffered economic losses exceeding $150 billion.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s desire for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan, saying Afghan territory must not be allowed to be used by terrorist groups against Pakistan.
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