Islamabad: Pakistan is set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Governments meeting in October 2024, as confirmed by Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during her weekly media briefing today. The meeting is part of Pakistan’s responsibilities as the current chair of the SCO’s second-highest decision-making forum.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the upcoming summit in Islamabad will be preceded by a ministerial meeting and multiple rounds of discussions among senior officials. These meetings will focus on enhancing financial, economic, socio-cultural, and humanitarian cooperation among SCO member states. Baloch expressed optimism that all SCO members would be represented at the summit, which will be conducted in person.
During the briefing, Baloch also addressed concerns raised by a recent U.S. State Department report on religious freedom, categorically rejecting its assertions about Pakistan. She criticized the report for its unilateral perspective and lack of transparency in methodology, asserting that such reports do not accurately reflect the on-ground realities and are influenced by political biases.
The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to protecting the religious rights and freedoms of its citizens, as guaranteed by the national constitution and upheld by an independent judiciary. She emphasized that issues of religious freedom should not be viewed through the lens of any single country’s perspective.
Additionally, Baloch called for the release of Mian Abdul Qayoom, a prominent Kashmiri lawyer and former President of the High Court Bar Association, who has been detained in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir under charges she described as politically motivated. Pakistan continues to extend support for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue in line with UN Security Council resolutions.
On a humanitarian note, Baloch highlighted a significant decision to allow medical students from Gaza to complete their education in Pakistan, reflecting Pakistan’s ongoing support for Palestinian students amidst the ongoing crisis in the region. This initiative, directed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, will focus on critical fields such as cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, pediatrics, and surgery.
The House will reconvene tomorrow to continue discussions on these and other international issues.