ISLAMABAD — In the heart of Pakistan’s capital, officials from an international security alliance convened on Wednesday to deliberate on enhancing both security collaboration and economic partnerships. The gathering, part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), commenced with remarks from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose administration is currently grappling with insurgent threats and facing one of its most severe economic challenges.
Prime Minister Sharif welcomed various leaders and dignitaries from member nations prior to the formal discussions. Founded in 2001 by China and Russia to serve as a counterweight to Western alliances, the SCO includes nations such as Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan itself.
During his speech, Sharif expressed gratitude for their presence, highlighting that it symbolizes a mutual commitment to the aspirations of their people. He emphasized the need for collective security and the importance of advancing cooperation for sustainable development and prosperity within the SCO region.
As part of the discussions, Sharif reiterated the significance of a stable Afghanistan while asserting that the country’s territory should not be utilized for any violent actions against others. His comments come amid increasing violence in Pakistan, which the government attributes to militants operating from Afghanistan. The Taliban regime in Kabul, however, has denied these allegations, asserting that it does not permit its territory to be used for attacks against any nation, including Pakistan.
To ensure the safety of attendees during the SCO meeting, Pakistan has implemented extensive security measures, deploying military personnel and increasing police presence across the capital. These efforts have effectively created a lockdown in Islamabad, complicating movement within the city, even hindering emergency services such as ambulances.
This meeting takes place in the wake of a tragic incident in which two Chinese engineers were killed in a suicide bombing near Karachi’s airport, located in Sindh province. An insurgent group, opposed to Chinese investments in Pakistan, has claimed responsibility for this attack. Currently, thousands of Chinese nationals are involved in various projects associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), also known as the One Road Project. This initiative is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious global effort to revive trade routes reminiscent of the ancient Silk Road, thereby enhancing connectivity across Asia.
The SCO assembly features prominent figures, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, along with the prime ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Mongolia, marking a significant convergence of regional leaders dedicated to addressing common security and economic challenges.