ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday called on Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to turn their shared vision into practical cooperation and tangible results, with greater focus on connectivity, trade, innovation and development.
At the first meeting of the SCO’s Council of National Coordinators (CNC) under Pakistan’s chairmanship, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on member states to step up cooperation in connectivity, innovation and development.
He said Pakistan’s chairmanship would be guided by the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation and common development.
READ ALSO: Pakistan to host first SCO national coordinators’ meeting tomorrow
He said the theme of Pakistan’s chairmanship – “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation, and Shared Prosperity” – reflected the need to move beyond broad commitments and strengthen practical cooperation within the organisation.
He also highlighted preparations for the SCO Council of Heads of State summit, which Pakistan is scheduled to host in Islamabad in 2027, and called for close coordination among member states.
India’s SCO National Coordinator Alok Dimri welcomed Pakistan’s chairmanship and said it provided an opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation.
Dimri identified trade, connectivity and development as key areas for cooperation, saying the SCO brought together countries from across Asia and Eurasia around the objective of shared prosperity.
He expressed hope that the organisation would become more active during Pakistan’s chairmanship.
The Indian coordinator also expressed an interest in visiting Lahore, Sialkot and Faisalabad. Lahore has been designated an SCO Cultural City.
National coordinators from SCO member states, along with senior officials from the SCO Secretariat and its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, attended the meeting.
Separately, Dar chaired a meeting to review preparations for the 2027 SCO summit.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress and directed the relevant departments to maintain coordination and complete preparations within the agreed timelines.
The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, the defence secretary, acting foreign secretary, chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and senior Foreign Office officials.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026