ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support and commitment to address common challenges and realize the shared dreams of peace, prosperity, stability and enhanced connectivity in the SCO region.
While addressing the 23rd meeting of SCO Council of Heads of State through video link on Tuesday, he asked the SCO Countries to take concerted and immediate actions both in their national capacities as well as collectively to combat the three evils of terrorism, extremism and separatism.
The prime minister stressed that terrorism and extremism whether committed by individuals, societies or states must be fought with full vigor and conviction.
Shahbaz Sharif said that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including state terrorism must be condemned in clear and unambiguous terms. He said that there can be no justification for the killing of innocent people.
Similarly, he added, that religious minorities should never be demonized in the pursuit of domestic political agendas.
“CPEC is a natural bridge for regional connectivity and a game-changer for regional prosperity” : PM at SCO #SCOSummit #PMatSCO pic.twitter.com/TRuu0zDefD
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The prime minister said that fundamental rights and freedoms must be guaranteed to all including those under occupation. He said that peace and communal harmony should replace violent ultra-nationalism and xenophobic ideologies especially Islamophobia. He said that we should resolutely oppose divisive policies based on prejudice and discrimination.
There should be no place for the wilful provocations and incitement to hatred especially on religious grounds, he added.
Shahbaz Sharif pointed out that the SCO stands for observance of the UN principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and people’s right to self-determination. He said that we must ensure these universally recognized principles within the SCO borders for friendly relations amongst the nations. He said that the UN Security Council resolutions offer us a workable framework for the resolution of some longstanding disputes in the region, adding that these must be addressed to immediately and settled amicably before it is too late.
Highlighting the significance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan to unlock the true economic potential of the SCO region, he said that the international community should meaningfully engage with the interim Afghan government. He said concrete measures should also be taken by the interim Afghan government to ensure that its soil is not used for terrorism by any entity.
Referring to the threat posed by Climate Change to humanity’s survival, the prime minister urged the developed world to deliver on their assurances and provide enhanced support to the developing countries in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. He said climate change demands global solidarity and a global response. It is time to act and we must act now and immediately.
Emphasizing on investing in connectivity projects, he said that building efficient transport corridors and reliable supply chains are crucial elements to achieve the shared vision of an economically integrated region.
Shahbaz Sharif further said that the CPEC can be a game changer for connectivity, stability, peace and prosperity in this entire region. He said that Pakistan’s location serves as a natural bridge connecting Europe and Central Asia with China, South Asia and the Middle East. He said that Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being set up under the CPEC framework have direct access to our ports which can serve as convenient conduits for regional trade promotion.
THE prime minister said that Pakistan plans to host the SCO Conference on Transport Connectivity for Regional Prosperity in the last quarter of current year.
The prime minister also stressed greater collaboration for poverty alleviation. He said that the special working group on poverty alleviation proposed by Pakistan has become operational, expressing the confidence that it will provide an impetus to our collective efforts to eliminate poverty and improve the living standards of the people.
