🇵🇰 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Pakistan.

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India’s FM Jaishankar arrives in Pakistan ahead of all-important SCO summit​

Dawn.com | Nadir Guramani
October 15, 2024

India’s Minister for External Affairs lands in Pakistan. — DawnNewsTV

Tajikistan PM Kokhir Rasulzoda lands at the Islamabad International Airport, where Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan welcomed him, on Tuesday. — DawnNewsTV

India’s Minister for External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday — the first such visit in nearly a decade — as the 23rd summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is set to commence in the evening.

The SCO comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus — with 16 more countries affiliated as observers or “dialogue partners”.

Pakistan became a full member of the SCO at its 2017 summit in Kazakhstan, which was attended by ex-PM Nawaz Sharif, who recently also expressed the hope for reviving ties with India.

In his capacity as the current Chair of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will preside over the summit.

State-run PTV showed images of Jaishankar being greeted by Pakistani officials on the runway after his plane touched down near the capital Islamabad just before 3:30pm.

 

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Belarus PM Roman Golovchenko lands at the Islamabad International Airport, where Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar welcomed him, on Tuesday. — PID

 

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Tajikistan PM Kokhir Rasulzoda lands at the Islamabad International Airport, where Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan welcomed him, on Tuesday. — DawnNewsTV

 

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Jaishankar would “represent India at the meeting”, his foreign ministry said on Tuesday, adding that the country “remains actively engaged in the SCO format”.

“Even though it won’t be a fleeting visit as was previously thought, Jaishankar will likely spend not more than 24 hours in Pakistan before flying back to India,” Times of India reported.

From China, Premier Li Qiang will be attending the summit, with his visit to Pakistan being the first by a Chinese premier in 11 years.

China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will be represented by their prime ministers while Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref will be attending the summit, the Foreign Office has said.

PM Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene of observer state Mongolia and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov of special guest Turkmenistan will also participate in the meeting.

Around noon today, Kyrgyz premier, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov, arrived at the Nur Khan Airbase, where he was received by Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, PTV News reported.

 

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Top-notch security​

With the arrival of foreign top officials, the security agencies are determined to prevent any disruptions and have amped up security in Islamabad.

The Army has already been called in to provide security for the event, as well as key government buildings and the Red Zone. Rangers have already been deployed in the capital.

Many businesses and routes in the federal capital and its twin city, Rawalpindi, have been closed due to safety concerns.

The government has deployed more than 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel for the security of about 900 delegates who are set to arrive for the event.

The delegates will stay at different places in the capital located inside the ‘Red Zone’ or in the vicinity, as 14 locations in the capital have been arranged for their accommodation.

A total of 124 vehicles will be deployed for the motorcade, with 84 accompanying the heads of states, and 40 for other delegates.

According to a Dawn report, a four-member delegation from India, 76 delegates from Russia, 15 representatives from China, a two-member team from Iran and a four-member delegation from Kyrgyzstan reached Islamabad on Sunday.

Seven delegates of SCO also arrived in the capital.

 

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Historic Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit opens in Islamabad today​

Preparations for 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit finalised, world leaders arrive in Islamabad.

News Desk
October 15, 2024

SCO summit in Islamabad- AFP

Pakistan has completed all preparations for the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, set to begin in Islamabad today.

The 23rd Meeting of SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) will be held on 16 October 2024 in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who will also deliver the opening address.

Among those attending are the prime ministers of China, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, as well as India’s foreign minister, with delegations from seven other member states also taking part.

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang arrived in Islamabad earlieron Monday, while other dignitaries are expected to land later today and early tomorrow.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is scheduled to arrive on the eve of October 16 and will participate in the CHG summit on Wednesday.

Delegations from Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan will also attend, with Mongolia’s prime minister attending as an observer.

The summit will focus on the performance of the organisation, as well as strengthening cooperation and relations between member states.

In addition to the member states, Iran’s first vice president and India’s foreign minister will also join the proceedings.

Islamabad has been beautifully decorated for the two-day event, with electric lights and screens lining key routes.

The Red Zone is sealed off, with over 10,000 police officers deployed across the city. Security in the Red Zone remains under military control.

Islamabad glows as SCO summit begins today

Moreover, the twenty-third meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is set to begin on Tuesday, bringing together regional leaders to discuss enhancing collaboration with a focus on trade, economy, and cultural linkages.

Delegates from participating countries have already started arriving in the federal capital, which has received a facelift with colorful lights, floral decorations, and flags and banners from SCO member states to welcome the dignitaries.

LED display screens have been installed at major intersections, which are also beautifully illuminated with lights and murals.

Landmarks across the city have been adorned with colorful lights and Pakistani flags, creating unique photo opportunities for citizens and content for social media.

Premier of the State Council of China, Li Qiang, along with a high-level delegation, has already arrived in the capital to attend the meeting and hold discussions with Pakistan's civil and military leadership.

The two-day meeting of SCO CHG, the second highest forum within the SCO, will be chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the current chair of the Council.

Pakistan had assumed the rotating chair of the SCO CHG for 2023-24 at the previous meeting held in Bishkek on October 26, 2023 where the country was represented by then interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani.

The leaders from the SCO member states attending the summit include China's Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Tajik Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Kyrgyzstan's Chairman of Ministers' Cabinet Zhaparov Akylbek, Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

 

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Pakistan bolsters regional ties with Tajikistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan at SCO summit​

PM Shehbaz Sharif meets his counterparts while President Asif Ali Zardari, COAS Gen Asim Munir hold meetings as well

News Desk
October 15, 2024

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets Akylbek Japarov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Islamabad on October 15, 2024. PHOTO: APP

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in multiple high-level bilateral meetings with regional counterparts during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Islamabad on Tuesday. The discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, and regional connectivity between Pakistan and its Central Asian partners.

In a meeting with Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda, PM Shehbaz stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral collaboration across all spheres of shared interest, including trade, investment, energy, and regional connectivity.

 

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He praised Tajikistan’s active participation in the SCO meeting and fondly recalled his productive visit to Dushanbe in July, 2023. PM Rasulzoda conveyed his appreciation for Pakistan's hospitality and thanked the country for allowing sugar exports to Tajikistan a step that will further boost bilateral trade.

On his X timeline, PM Shehbaz expressed his satisfaction with the positive trajectory of the relationship between the two countries and reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening ties.

Additionally, PM Shehbaz met with Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko. The leaders discussed potential cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, agricultural machinery, and joint production of tractors.

Both leaders reiterated the need for sustained high-level exchanges to build on the positive momentum of bilateral relations. Golovchenko congratulated Pakistan on successfully hosting the SCO meeting and expressed Belarus' commitment to working closely with Pakistan under the "Shanghai Spirit."

Further highlighting Pakistan’s regional engagements, President Asif Ali Zardari met with Akyibek Zhaparov Usenbekovich, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan.

President Zardari highlighted expanding the bilateral trade volume by focusing on value-added products and strengthening economic ties through the Karachi and Gwadar ports. He also thanked Kyrgyzstan for its support of Pakistan’s election to the UN Security Council.

PM Shehbaz also reiterated Pakistan’s desire to deepen cooperation with Kyrgyzstan during his meeting with Chairman Akylbek Japarov.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, stressing the need to explore new areas of collaboration in trade, investment, and people-to-people contacts. Japarov also praised Pakistan’s hospitality and its successful organisation of the SCO meeting.

 

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Moreover, Belarus' PM Golovchenko also met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir in Islamabad on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the military's media wing.

During the meeting, discussions were held on regional dynamics and the enhancement of bilateral security and defence cooperation between the two nations, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported.

COAS reaffirmed Pakistan’s appreciation for Belarus’s contributions to global and regional affairs and expressed the desire to further strengthen the military partnership between both countries.

PM Golovchenko commended the Pakistan Armed Forces for their pivotal role in promoting regional peace and stability, and acknowledged their professionalism and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, ISPR added.

 

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