Shun bloc politics and focus on regional growth, PM tells SCO
IMRAN SAYS GROUP CAN PLAY A KEY ROLE IN PEACE, STABILITY IN THE REGION
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the regional countries to unite efforts for cooperation and peaceful existence and resist drift towards bloc politics.
Imran Khan is on a two-day visit to Tajikistan where he addressed the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Dushanbe yesterday.
Addressing the summit, Khan stressed that SCO can play a crucial role in peace and stability in the region and improve security and socioeconomic development. He said that addressing threats to international and regional peace and security is a vital interest for SCO members.
“The 20th anniversary of SCO is an important juncture to reflect on our journey as SCO has come a long way. Today, SCO cumulatively represents 44 per cent of the world’s population and over 20 per cent of the global GDP” PM Khan said. The vast region comprising SCO member states — Pakistan, China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan — makes it the largest regional organisation which includes four nuclear powers.
Today, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation cumulatively represents 44 per cent of the world’s population and over 20 per cent of the global GDP.”
Imran Khan | Prime minister
Focus on Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s future dominated the SCO summit 2021. Khan called upon the members to chart out “a coordinated SCO approach towards stabilising the situation in Afghanistan” by providing humanitarian support and through enhanced engagement. He stressed that “Taliban must fulfil the pledges made” to international community especially inclusive political structure where all ethnic groups are represented.”
It is equally important to assure respect for the rights of all Afghans, and ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists, Khan said. Khan noted that the transition occurred in Afghanistan “without bloodshed, civil war, and mass exodus of refugees” but urged that it is now in the international community’s collective interest to ensure stability in Afghanistan and prevent a humanitarian crisis.
He shared that Pakistan extended all possible support in the provision of humanitarian relief and facilitated international evacuation efforts. SCO members had recently agreed to strengthen connectivity, develop e-commerce linkages to deepen trade cooperation between member countries.
At the summit, Khan pushed for regional connectivity to help realise the “vision of an interconnected, prosperous and economically vibrant region” he said. Pakistan’s geostrategic location can serve as a natural bridge connecting Central Asia with South Asia through the platform of SCO.
“Pakistan offers the shortest route to the sea for many of our partners in Central Asia,” he said. The network of rail, road, sea and air links across the SCO states will usher the region in a new era of enhanced trade, energy flows, and people-topeople exchanges, significantly contributing to progress and prosperity in the region and beyond, Khan said. He announced that Pakistan would host a virtual conference on the theme ‘Transport Connectivity for Regional Prosperity’ in 2022.
Khan, Raisi exchange views
Pakistan PM and Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi exchanged views on bilateral ties, trade and regional connectivity and discussed the ongoing development in Afghanistan. Khan acknowledged Iran’s support for Pakistan’s initiative for a coordinated approach on Afghanistan. He said it was essential to take urgent steps to stabilise Afghanistan’s security.