Pakistan shows “Shanghai Spirit” as SCO head pays first visit after full membership

ISLAMABAD – The Secretary General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Rashid Alimov called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at PM House on Tuesday.

This is the first visit of the Organization's secretary general after Pakistan’s full membership of SCO.

PM Abbasi thanked Mr Alimov for his support in steering the process of Pakistan’s membership of SCO and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment towards “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development.

Pakistan shares with SCO and its Members, deep-rooted historical and cultural links and strong economic and strategic complementarities. Highlighting Pakistan’s active participation in all the SCO activities.

Abbasi appreciated that the SCO has established itself as a significant and influential player in the international arena by leveraging its comparative advantages. Its unique and pragmatic portfolio of economic, trade, development, security, and counter-terrorism cooperation distinguishes it from the other international organisations.

The PM expressed Pakistan’s support towards SCO’s connectivity initiatives and offered to connect the CPEC with SCO’s six approved routes which would greatly enhance their vitality to become a conduit for linking Eurasian landmass, China, Russia and Central Asia with the Arabian Sea.

He also expressed support for various SCO’s initiatives including the establishment of SCO Development Bank, SCO Development Fund, SCO Business Council, SCO Interbank Consortium and SCO’s initiative on Small and Medium Enterprises.

While expressing support for the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), the premier reiterated Pakistan’s strong opposition to the three evils of terrorism, extremism, and separatism.

Alimov appreciated Pakistan’s active participation in all SCO activities. He stated that the inclusion of new members like Pakistan has greatly strengthened SCO which has emerged as a true cross-regional and cross-continental organization playing a multifaceted role in the world politics.

He said that "SCO can enormously benefit from Pakistan’s experience in successful combating of the menace of terrorism, narcotics, and drugs as well as its economic strengths and connectivity potentials".