SHENGZHOU (APP) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday called for collective efforts to confront the challenges of extremism, terrorism, human and drug trafficking, environmental degradation and natural disasters.
Addressing the SCO Summit in the in Chinese city of Zhengzhou, he said the security situation in the region remains precarious and the menace of terrorism has become even more serious. He said militant ideology needed to be countered through a comprehensive joint strategy.
He said the SCO has a special role to play in regional stability. We have to identify common values and build on them to promote harmony and shared prosperity.
Emphasizing the need for enhanced regional connectivity, Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan has a unique geo strategic location and is ready to play its role to achieve the objective of connectivity. He said China Pakistan Economic Corridor project will serve as a means to achieve the dream of development.
Referring to the expansion of the SCO, he pointed out that in UFA Summit, Pakistan and India were accepted in principle as the permament members of the organization. He said Pakistan has made considerable progress to complete its internal processes and to accede to the relevant treaties of the SCO.
He said Pakistan enjoys deep-rooted economic, trade and cultural relations with the members of the SCO.
During the two-day China tour Prime Minister will also attend a welcome reception hosted by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in honor of the heads of government of SCO member states and observer countries.
He will also hold bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in which matters of mutual interest will be discussed.
Prime Minister of Belarus, Chief Executive of Afghanistan, Vice Premier of Mongolia, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of India and a minister from Iran are also attending the meeting as representatives of SCO observers’ countries.
