ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to assume the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of Heads of State (CHS) in September.
Pakistan will also host the next SCO Council of Heads of State summit, further strengthening its role within the regional bloc.
The development was mentioned by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar while commemorating the 25th anniversary of the SCO.
Dar described the organisation as an important platform that has contributed to regional peace, security, stability, economic cooperation, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges among member states.
In this regard, the foreign minister noted that Pakistan’s journey within the SCO has evolved from an observer state to a proactive full member since joining the organisation in 2017.
He said this progression reflects Pakistan’s strong commitment to multilateral cooperation and its confidence in the potential of regional partnerships.
In this sense, Dar said the responsibility reflects the trust and confidence of member states in Pakistan’s leadership role at both regional and international levels.
He focused on that Pakistan would pursue a forward-looking and action-oriented agenda aimed at promoting economic collaboration, increasing regional connectivity, and strengthening mutual understanding among the peoples of member countries.
Dar recalled that Islamabad successfully hosted the Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government in October 2024. He also noted that Pakistan is currently chairing the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure for the 2025-26 term.
The foreign minister further stated that Pakistan serves as the permanent chair of an SCO working group on poverty alleviation, which focuses on improving living standards across the region.
He also referred to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), describing it as a model for regional economic and trade integration among SCO member states.
Dar confirmed Pakistan’s commitment to counterterrorism cooperation within the SCO framework, noting the country’s significant sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He said Pakistan values the organisation’s collective efforts to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
He also praised the SCO’s initiatives in digital innovation, energy security, and the promotion of mutual payments in national currencies, saying these measures are helping build a more resilient regional economy.
Dar expressed optimism about a future based on social cohesion, shared prosperity, and mutual respect among SCO member countries.
Its ten member states include China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus, while Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status.
