By Prof. Dr. Taimoor ul Hassan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to the SCO summit is significant from two perspectives: economic and strategic. On the economic front, Pakistan is , understandably, looking to diversify its trade partners, attract much needed foreign investment, and accelerate development projects under regional cooperation frameworks.
Strategically, the summit provides a platform to strengthen diplomatic ties with major regional powers, address security concerns, and assert Pakistan’s role in an increasingly multipolar world.
The Prime Minister in his address exposed Indians claims and its aggression. He also raised the issue of climate injustice, resulting in the recent floods. He said Pakistan has no contribution to the degradation of climate yet is suffering in the form of floods and other natural calamities. That’s nice the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif minced no words in denuding India’ s terrorism allegations and the issue of climatic i justice. His support for Iran was equally praiseworthy.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, established in 2001, evolved from the Shanghai Five mechanism formed in 1996 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Initially focused on border security and confidence-building, the SCO expanded to address terrorism, separatism, and extremism while promoting regional stability. Pakistan joined SCO in 2005 as an observer but due to its role in combating terrorism, it became its full member in 2017.
Today , SCO is working towards fostering economic cooperation, infrastructure development, and cultural exchanges.
Pakistan’s SCO membership supports its economic direction symbolised in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which would facilitate trade routes and improve transportation infrastructure. This integration would help Pakistan to gain access to Central Asian markets. This would translate into increased exports and regional investment.
The other benefit for Pakistan is in the form of increased engagement with member states for joint ventures and industrial cooperation. As a result, special economic zones and infrastructure projects could be materialized, providing opportunities to boost domestic manufacturing, create jobs, and attract foreign direct investment.
The SCO further enables Pakistan to reduce reliance on traditional Western partners and draw up a broader economic strategy with the aim to achieve self-reliance and resilience.
Strategically, Pakistan could participate in intelligence sharing, joint counter-terrorism exercises, and regional security dialogues. This cooperation would strengthen Pakistan’s internal and border security while promoting regional stability.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s active participation in the recent SCO summit allows Pakistan to engage directly with influential regional players such as China, Russia, and India.
These engagements have the potential to enhance Pakistan’s diplomatic influence and provide a forum to address bilateral and multilateral concerns.
At the level of cultural culture and education, Pakistan can strengthen people-to-people ties, boost its regional influence, and foster goodwill among member states.
China remains Pakistan’s key ally within the SCO framework. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor exemplifies this partnership, with investments in infrastructure, energy, and industrial zones. During the recent SCO summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during his address, emphasized expanding cooperation in trade, technology, and agriculture.
China’s support provides Pakistan with critical resources and strategic backing, enabling the country to pursue a forward-looking economic and diplomatic agenda.
Pakistan’s SCO engagement occurs amid complex regional dynamics. India’s membership introduces both challenges and opportunities, offering a platform for dialogue while necessitating careful management of bilateral tensions.
Meanwhile, the United States observes Pakistan’s deepening ties with China and participation in SCO with interest. Pakistan’s strategic alignment through the SCO demonstrates its effort to balance relations between global powers while asserting autonomy in its foreign and economic policy.
There is no gainsaying that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s participation in the SCO summit marks a significant moment for Pakistan, highlighting the economic and strategic advantages of active engagement with regional powers.
By leveraging opportunities within the SCO and strengthening ties with China, Pakistan is poised to enhance trade, attract investment, bolster security, and reinforce its position as a central player in South and Central Asia. The SCO declaration at the end too points to a calibrated resistance to a unipolar world. Indeed, Pakistan seems aligned with this declaration.
