Islamabad (TDI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead Pakistan’s delegation at the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit on August 30, in China.Â
High officials and members of the cabinet will accompany the Prime Minister, where he will also attend the Pakistan-China business forum. During the visit, he will also hold bilateral meetings with Chinese leaders and may also meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the sidelines.
Originally focused on counterterror and regional security, the SCO has increasingly expanded its agenda in recent years to include trade, connectivity, climate change, and cross-border cooperation. Pakistan became a member in 2017 and has leveraged this platform to enhance regional cooperation with neighbors, especially in energy, infrastructure, and security.Â
At this year’s Summit, Pakistan will have the opportunity to interact with landlocked Central Asian nations, where it hopes to improve trade and transportation connectivity through initiatives like regional energy corridors and the Trans-Afghan railway.
The summit is expected to hold discussions regarding greater economic integration, mutual security arrangements, and policy for dealing with rising geopolitical tensions.
China has, so far, hosted a number of events leading up to the main summit. Pakistan’s representatives have taken part in all of these meetings. Pakistan’s strong partnership with China is also one reason why the country is keenly participating in SCO events as China presides over the organization this year.
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