ISLAMABAD: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO’s) top counter-terrorism body, the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), condemned in the strongest possible terms the latest military attacks against Iran, reiterated Tehran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and called for urgent de-escalation, peace, and regional stability, said a statement released by Pakistan’s Foreign Office following a meeting of the SCO RATS Council here on Monday.
The 46th meeting of the SCO RATS Council was held here under the chairmanship of Pakistan, attended by representatives of Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of the Executive Committee of SCO RATS.
During the meeting, current issues on the international agenda in the field of ensuring regional security were discussed.
READ MORE: Shehbaz, Pezeshkian exchange views on regional situation
The SCO RATS Council condemned the new military attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran and reaffirmed the SCO’s previously expressed position on this issue.
Expressing condolences to the government and people of Iran over the tragic deaths of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Seyyed Ali Khamenei, as well as to the families of those killed, the Council reaffirmed its position on preserving Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and supported efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions, establishing peace and ensuring stability in the region.
The Council reviewed the implementation of previously adopted decisions of the SCO RATS Council concerning the coordination of cooperation among the competent authorities of the SCO Member States in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism, and approved work plans of the Executive Committee of SCO RATS and expert groups on the most pressing issues of countering the “three forces of evil”.
Decisions were adopted on the establishment and improvement of information infrastructure to strengthen interaction among the Parties.
An agreement was reached to conduct in 2027 a joint information operation in the field of countering terrorism, a practical seminar for the use of the Internet for terrorist, separatist and extremist purposes, as well as a joint counter-terrorism exercise of the competent authorities of the SCO Member States to identify and prevent the use of the Internet for terrorist, separatist and extremist purposes.
The Thirteenth International Scientific and Practical Conference on cooperation between the SCO Member States and the SCO observer states in the field of countering terrorism, separatism and extremism is scheduled to be held in Kazakhstan.
For their personal contribution to the development of SCO RATS activities and the strengthening of cooperation among the competent authorities of the SCO Member States, officials of the Executive Committee of SCO RATS were given awards.
The chairmanship of the SCO RATS Council passed from Pakistan to the Russian Federation. An agreement was reached to hold the next meeting of the SCO RATS Council at the premises of the Executive Committee of SCO RATS in Tashkent.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026