Astana, 4 July 2024 (TDI): The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit took place on 4 July 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan. Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif called on the global community to engage “Community meaningfully” with the Taliban government in Kabul to combat terrorism in the region.
During his official speech at the SCO Summit, the prime minister emphasized the importance of maintaining regional peace for socio-economic development.
He said, “Achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan is a lynchpin to this common objective, and the international community must fulfil their genuine economic and development needs.”
While pointing out to Afghanistan, the prime minister conveyed that they must take “concrete measures” to ensure that their soil is not used for terrorism against any other state.
He stressed that “Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism, must be condemned in clear and unambiguous terms.”
While speaking on the regional connectivity, Prime Minister Shahbaz said that the country’s location serves as an “ideal trade conduit” for the South and Central Asian countries.
He added that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) supplemented “SCO’s vision of regional connectivity and economic interaction.”
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Prime Minister Shahbaz, while commenting on the global financial structure, stressed that member countries should promote national currencies for mutual settlements within the region to avoid global financial shocks.
He added that the alternative funding mechanisms would give impetus to different development projects in the SCO region.
Prime Minister Shahbaz also called for the resolution of long-standing disputes through UNSC resolutions. He strongly urged for peace in Gaza and peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Pakistan looks forward to welcoming the SCO family at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad this October.
