ISLAMABAD (MNN); Pakistan is set to assume the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State (CHS) in September, while also preparing to host the SCO summit next year.
Marking the 25th anniversary of the SCO, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the organisation has played a key role in promoting regional peace, security, stability, economic cooperation, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges among member states, according to the Foreign Office.
Dar noted that Pakistan’s role in the SCO has evolved from observer status to a full and active member since 2017, reflecting its strong commitment to multilateral cooperation and confidence in regional potential.
Ahead of Pakistan assuming the SCO chairmanship, he said this development reflects international trust in Pakistan’s leadership at both regional and global levels. He added that Pakistan will pursue a forward-looking and action-oriented agenda focused on economic cooperation, regional connectivity, and stronger people-to-people relations.
Highlighting Pakistan’s past contributions, Dar recalled that Islamabad hosted the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in October 2024. He also noted that Pakistan is currently chairing the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure for 2025–26 and permanently leads an SCO working group on poverty alleviation aimed at improving living standards across the region.
The foreign minister also referred to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), describing it as a model for regional trade and economic integration among SCO member states.
He said Pakistan, as a frontline state in the fight against terrorism, values SCO cooperation in addressing the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
Dar also praised SCO initiatives in digital innovation, energy cooperation, and local currency-based trade mechanisms, saying these efforts are building a more resilient regional economy.
Originally formed in 2001 as a security cooperation platform, the SCO has now evolved into a broader forum for economic and development cooperation. It currently includes 10 member states: China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus, with Afghanistan and Mongolia as observer states.
The upcoming SCO CHS summit this year will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, while Pakistan will take over key responsibilities in the bloc ahead of its own hosting of the summit in 2026.