Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif called for the expansion of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to strengthen regional cooperation during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Islamabad.
At the 23rd session of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG), Shahbaz welcomed SCO leaders and stressed the need for enhanced regional collaboration for sustainable economic growth and stability. He emphasized that projects like the BRI should focus on developing infrastructure, such as roads, rail, and digital systems, to promote integration and cooperation.
Shahbaz also addressed poverty, stating that it’s not just an economic challenge but a moral issue requiring collective action from regional states. He called for closer cooperation to alleviate poverty, particularly in the SCO region where millions face hardships.
He also spoke about climate change, describing it as a global crisis that disproportionately affects nations like Pakistan, which is on the frontline of climate-induced disasters.
CPEC as a key part of BRI
The prime minister highlighted the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key part of the BRI, in fostering cooperation. He noted that SCO member states represent 40% of the global population and proposed a special development fund, while urging focus on tourism, green development, and energy.
From the SCO platform, Shahbaz expressed confidence in the ability to create a more prosperous and secure future for the region’s people. He emphasized that the world is undergoing significant transformations, impacting social, political, and economic landscapes.
He also pointed out the strategic importance of Afghanistan for trade and transit within the region, stressing that stability in Afghanistan is crucial for realizing these opportunities. Shahbaz urged the international community to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and called on the Taliban to embrace political inclusivity to prevent terrorism.
The regional bloc criticized protectionist trade measures and unilateral sanctions, which target member states like Iran and Russia. A joint statement signed by 10 SCO member countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and India, stressed the need for joint efforts to counter such measures that violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.
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