Astana: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed terrorism concerns and called for meaningful engagement with the Afghan Taliban government during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Astana. Arriving in Kazakhstan’s capital for a two-day visit, Sharif joined leaders from China, India, Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan to discuss regional security and economic cooperation.
According to reports by Dawn News, Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the critical link between regional peace and economic prosperity, stressing the importance of achieving lasting stability in Afghanistan. He urged the international community to support Afghanistan’s economic and developmental needs through constructive engagement with its government.
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Sharif highlighted the imperative for the Afghan Taliban to prevent their territory from becoming a haven for terrorist activities against any nation. He condemned terrorism unequivocally, including state-sponsored terrorism, and rejected the exploitation of terrorism for political gains, emphasizing the sanctity of innocent lives.
In his address, Sharif underscored the role of leaders in transcending geopolitical divides for the collective benefit of their citizens. He positioned Pakistan as a pivotal trade conduit in the region, citing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a catalyst for enhancing regional connectivity and economic interaction within the SCO framework.
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Advocating for the use of national currencies in regional transactions to insulate against global financial disruptions, Sharif proposed alternative financial mechanisms to accelerate development projects across SCO nations. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to collaborating within the SCO to elevate living standards, particularly amid global political uncertainties and rising commodity prices affecting poverty alleviation efforts.
Pakistan and India joined the SCO in 2017, marking a significant step in regional cooperation and integration.
