Pakistan's plea for observer status in SCO to be considered on June 4

Pakistan's request for 'Observer Status' in Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) will be considered at its foreign ministers' meeting to be held in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, on June 4. Diplomatic sources told APP in Beijing that the member countries, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are likely to support Pakistan's request for the observer status.
A senior Chinese official said here on Sunday: "We have noted that some countries, including Pakistan, hope to become observers of SCO and further develop their relations with the organisation. The member countries of SCO now are taking serious consideration of it. We hope that an agreement will be reached on this issue at an early date through consultation based on SCO's agenda of deliberation."
Pakistan has applied for SCO's membership about five years back and up till now its application was pending for consideration.
"Initially, we expect to join this important body as an observer before having full membership," said a senior Pakistani official.
According to the sources, the SCO is faced with a lot of work concerning development of its organisational mechanisms. Therefore, it was decided not to give full membership to any other country for the time being. However, it will follow the principle of openness and accept more members in the future.
Secretary General SCO Zhang Deguang, during his meeting with Pakistan ambassador to China Sulman Bashir, here this month discussed their future co-operation. He appreciated Pakistan's active participation in regional organisations, like Saarc and Asian Co-operation Dialogue (ACD).
He also commended Pakistan's key role in coalition against terrorism. The SCO, he said, fully recognised Pakistan's consistent efforts to make region free of terrorism.
Zhang also praised Pakistan's economic growth performance and said President Musharraf and his government was doing well for the country's economic uplift.
Founded on June 15 2001, The SCO has emerged an important organisation in the region, making collective efforts to fight against terrorism and help guarantee regional security and stability.
It established its secretariat in Beijing last year and the executive committee of the regional anti-terrorism structure in Tashkent are turning into effective collective mechanisms, which guarantee its stable functioning, sources said.