Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD:Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan on Friday said Pakistan remains firmly committed to advancing regional peace, economic connectivity, and multilateral cooperation under framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).In his weekly press briefing, he provided an extensive briefing on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China to attend the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) and SCO CHS Plus meetings held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1.The Prime Minister’s visit, undertaken at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, saw high-level engagements with SCO member states and key regional leaders.During the summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s perspectives on pressing regional and global issues and called for a comprehensive and structured dialogue to resolve longstanding disputes in South Asia.He strongly condemned terrorism in all forms, including state-sponsored terrorism, and cited irrefutable evidence of foreign involvement in recent terrorist incidents such as the Jaffar Express hostage crisis and attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.FO Spokesperson said the prime minister also voiced firm condemnation of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, describing it as “inhuman” and calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. He also denounced the recent attack on Iran, a fellow SCO member state.He stated that the PM stressed the importance of meaningful engagement with Afghanistan, noting that instability in Afghanistan undermines development across the entire SCO region. The PM also highlighted the significance of regional connectivity and economic integration, pointing to Pakistan’s strategic geographical location as a potential trade and transit hub for the SCO.He underscored the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a cornerstone for regional integration under President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).Shafqat Ali Khan said on the sidelines of the summit, the prime minister held a series of bilateral meetings with the Presidents of China, Russia, Türkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan. These discussions focused on enhancing political, economic, trade, energy, and defense cooperation. Notably, the PM congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the signing of the historic peace agreement with Armenia, marking a significant step toward peace in the South Caucasus.In his meeting with President Xi Jinping, the PM reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for China’s territorial integrity and praised its achievements in economic development. Discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang focused on deepening cooperation in emerging sectors and supporting President Xi’s multilateral initiatives, including the Global Development, Security, and Civilization Initiatives.
