Seminar highlights SCO’s 25-year journey, Pak’s new chairmanship, opportunities for connectivity, peace
Pakistan’s role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) offers an important opportunity to strengthen regional connectivity, economic cooperation, peace and multilateral diplomacy, speakers said at a joint seminar held here on Tuesday.
The seminar, titled “SCO at 25: The Shanghai Spirit and A New Journey with Islamabad,” was organised by the China Program of the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in collaboration with China Media Group (CMG) at the IRS premises in Islamabad. It brought together senior diplomats, policymakers, academics, researchers and media representatives to discuss the SCO’s 25-year journey and Pakistan’s emerging role within the organisation.
Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, who was the chief guest, called for greater emphasis on peace, dialogue, economic cooperation and development, saying Pakistan could draw valuable lessons from the “Shanghai Spirit” to improve the quality of life of its people and strengthen its regional role. He described the SCO as an important regional platform with significant potential for cooperation and stressed the need for Pakistan to study the development experience of China and identify lessons applicable to its own economic transformation.
Delivering the keynote address, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, said Pakistan’s leadership role in the SCO could help further strengthen its regional and global relations. He highlighted opportunities in connectivity, economic cooperation and regional integration, particularly at a time of major changes in the international order.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President IRS, highlighted the significance of the SCO’s evolution over the past 25 years. He noted that the organisation had expanded into a major regional platform despite differences among its members, with the Shanghai Spirit providing a framework based on mutual understanding, consultation and cooperation.
Ms. Zhuang Xinyan, Minister Counselor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, in her special remarks, emphasised the importance of the Pakistan-China relationship and greater regional cooperation. She underlined the significance of the SCO’s 25th anniversary and said China stood ready to support Pakistan during its SCO chairmanship.
Former Ambassador Naela Chohan described the Shanghai Spirit as a framework of friendship and cooperation and recalled Pakistan’s journey from SCO observer status in 2005 to full membership in 2017. She emphasised the potential of integrating CPEC with SCO transit and connectivity routes, which, she said, could contribute to a productive new phase of Pakistan’s engagement with the organisation.
Dr. Shafqat Munir Ahmad, Deputy Executive Director (Policy) at SDPI, stressed that the SCO should now move beyond institution-building towards concrete delivery. He suggested stronger cooperation in counter-terrorism as well as emerging areas including energy, food security, water and climate change.
Muhammad Ramzan Ali, Director International Relations at PTV, highlighted the growing importance of regional organisations such as the SCO and BRICS amid transformations in the global order. He pointed towards opportunities for enhanced connectivity and cooperation among countries of the Global South.
The speakers also discussed Pakistan’s responsibilities and opportunities as it assumes the SCO chairmanship, with particular emphasis on translating the Shanghai Spirit into practical cooperation, promoting regional connectivity and strengthening people-to-people and economic linkages.
The interactive session provided an opportunity for participants to exchange views on the future direction of the SCO and Pakistan’s role in shaping its agenda. The seminar was moderated by Nabila Jaffer, Senior Research Analyst and Head of the China Program at IRS. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Tasawar Zaman Babar, Director Programme & PR, CGTN Urdu, China Media Group, followed by a group photograph and refreshments.
The seminar came at a significant moment for Pakistan, as the country began a new phase of engagement with the SCO, providing Islamabad an opportunity to position itself as a bridge for regional connectivity, economic integration, dialogue.
