Astana: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif led Pakistan’s delegation at the back-to-back SCO Council of Heads of State and SCO Plus summits on July 4, 2024, in Astana, Kazakhstan. The Prime Minister articulated Pakistan’s stance on crucial regional and global issues, emphasizing the significance of multilateral dialogue and adherence to international law.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister Sharif’s engagements at the SCO summits were part of a broader diplomatic outreach that included the first-ever trilateral summit between Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. The summits provided a platform for Pakistan to underline its commitment to regional connectivity and cooperation with SCO member countries and beyond.
During his addresses, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of multilateralism and the need to uphold universally recognized principles of international law. He condemned unilateral coercive measures and ideologies undermining multilateral cooperation, such as racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia. The Prime Minister advocated for the resolution of disputes through peaceful means and emphasized the need to avoid great power rivalry to preserve global peace.
The SCO Plus Summit, attended by SCO member states and various international observers and organizations, allowed Pakistan to share its perspective on enhancing multilateral engagements and tackling shared global challenges.
The Ministry also highlighted that 2024 marks a pivotal year for Pakistan-SCO relations, as Pakistan holds the rotating Chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government. In this capacity, Pakistan is set to host the SCO Heads of Governments Meeting in October, focusing on enhancing financial, economic, socio-cultural, and humanitarian cooperation among the member states.
The busy diplomatic schedule also included a bilateral visit to Tajikistan, where Prime Minister Sharif strengthened multifaceted cooperation, culminating in the signing of nine agreements, including the significant Pakistan-Tajikistan Strategic Partnership Agreement.
Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs detailed Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to manage its regional relations, particularly emphasizing the necessity of cooperation and mutual understanding with Afghanistan to address security challenges.
This series of high-level meetings and agreements underscores Pakistan’s proactive approach in its foreign policy, aiming to fortify its international relations and advocate for peace and cooperation at regional and global levels.