Tianjin:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday spent his presence in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit to deliver a broad address, raised Indus Waters Treacty (IWT) questions and calls for a dialogue on all excellent disputes.
Shehbaz told the leaders of the 10-member Eurasian bloc, including India, that Pakistan remained obliged to peace, dialogue and regional integration, but emphasized that its rights under international treaties and its victims against terrorism must be respected.
“Uninterrupted access to a proper proportion of water according to existing treaties among SCO members will strengthen SCO, which works smoothly and will support the achievement of wider targets for which SCO was established,” Shehbaz said, referring to India’s unilateral steps to suspend the IWT in April.
Shehbaz repeated Pakistan’s preference for diplomacy rather than confrontation. “We respect all international and bilateral treaties and expect similar principles to be followed by all SCO members,” he said. He urged leaders to support a “comprehensive and structural dialogue” to settle disputes
The Prime Minister confirmed Pakistan’s commitment to “normal and stable relationship with all its neighbors” and highlighted dialogue and diplomacy as indicative principles. “Pakistan has always believed in the power of multilateralism, dialogue and diplomacy and to reject ensilateralism,” he noted.
Insurance of the block he added: “Pakistan supports and respects the sovereignty and integrity of all SCO members and its neighbors. We will continue our efforts to promote progress and prosperity throughout the region and to ensure lasting peace in South Asia.”
Shehbaz also attracted attention to Pakistan’s climate crisis and noted that the country was once again fought with stormy rain and devastating floods. “My country passes again through unprecedented torrential rain, cloudbursts and massive destruction due to the resulting floods in three of our great rivers,” he said, taking a loss of life, livestock, infrastructure and crops.
“Underdeveloped countries such as Pakistan are constantly facing climate change -induced disasters, although our share in global emissions is less than one percent. Global leadership has to bear the burden as further passivity will lead to more loss of life and livelihood.”
The prime minister also approached terrorism and remembered March hijacking of Jaffar Express near Balochistan’s Sibi area. The attack required at least 26 lives, including 18 security staff.
“We have undeniable evidence of involving some foreign hands in the devastating Jaffar Express -Tog -Gids, as well as countless other terrorist attacks against us in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces,” Shehbaz said.
Remembered on Pakistan’s victims of the war on terrorism, he to the regional leaders that Pakistan had lost over 90,000 valuable lives and endured financial losses of over $ 152 billion – a “victim who has no parallel in history.”
When he approached Afghanistan, Shehbaz called for a peaceful and stable neighbor. He emphasized that improved regional connection required effective soil, air and rail corridors. In this regard, he said, the China-Pakistanic Economic Corridor (CPEC) presented a practical demonstration of SCO’s vision of integration.
The Prime Minister condemned Israel’s “heartbreaking blood edition in Gaza” and its attack on Iran, a colleague SCO member. “Israel’s unjustified aggression against our colleague Brotherly Member State Iran is condemned and therefore unacceptable,” he said.
At the SCO Plus session, Shehbaz President Xi Jinping praised the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) announcement and called it “a historic step towards a stronger multilateral system.” He congratulated China with holding the successful summit and welcomed the Tianjin declaration.
On the sidelines at the summit, Shehbaz met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The two leaders underwent collaboration across different sectors, with both sides expressing satisfaction with the positive momentum in the relationship.
Shehbaz confirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Iran, while President Pezeshkian expressed grief over the floods in Pakistan and insured support.
Separately, Shehbaz met with a delegation from Tianjin Binhai the new area, led by party secretary Lian Maojun. He praised China’s role in Pakistan’s economic progress and highlighted CPEC’s contribution to energy and infrastructure.
When he looks ahead, he noticed that the second phase of CPEC would focus on smart cities, agriculture and next generation technology industries. The Binhai delegation expressed great interest in expanding trade, especially in e-commerce and industrial expansion over Pakistan.
