Pakistan hosts SCO- Advancing regional cooperation, security

Pakistan became a member of SCO in June 2017. From 2005 to 2017, it enjoyed the status of SCO Observer State. Pakistan’s association with SCO is relatively new, but its association with SCO Member States is longstanding. It shares historical, cultural, civilizational and geographical ties with SCO Member States. Active participation in SCO reflects Pakistan’s keen interest in regional peace, stability and socio-economic development.

SCO provides a platform for Pakistan to explore more significant economic ties and regional cooperation in critical areas such as trade, investment, energy, innovation and entrepreneurship, transport and connectivity. Important priorities for Pakistan in SCO include cooperation in countering terrorism and extremism, transnational crimes, and collaboration in socio-cultural, economic, humanitarian spheres and other regional issues.

SCO is an essential platform for taking the vision of Eurasian connectivity to the next level. Pakistan’s location at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East makes it an ideal trade conduit. Investing in our collective connectivity capacities is crucial to advancing our shared vision for an economically integrated region. 

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During 2024, Pakistan has been hosting a Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the SCO Member States, as well as a Meeting of Ministers of the SCO Member States Responsible for Foreign Economic and Foreign Trade Activities in Islamabad.

In addition to these two high-level meetings, Pakistan will coordinate several other meetings under SCO CHG’s mandate. As a founding member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Pakistan plays a crucial role in advancing regional connectivity, fostering economic collaboration, and contributing to security and stability across South Asia and beyond.

Pakistan’s active participation in the SCO reflects its commitment to multilateralism and regional cooperation. It highlights its dedication to shared prosperity, peace, and mutual progress values at the core of the SCO’s objectives. One of the most significant opportunities for Pakistan within the SCO framework lies in leveraging its geostrategic position as a gateway to Central Asia.

Pakistan’s geographic location makes it an essential hub for trade and transit between South Asia, Central Asia, and beyond. The country’s role in facilitating cross-border trade routes, promoting energy security, and connecting markets is unparalleled. Pakistan’s participation in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a prime example of how strategic infrastructure projects can enhance connectivity, foster economic growth, and serve as a model for broader regional integration. 

CPEC, a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has already begun transforming Pakistan’s infrastructure and economy. As part of the SCO’s broader vision for regional connectivity, CPEC also offers immense potential for other SCO member states. It is a critical trade and energy corridor, providing access to markets and resources in China, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

The development of Gwadar Port, in particular, opens up new possibilities for regional trade by providing landlocked Central Asian countries with access to the Arabian Sea, enhancing their trade routes and reducing transportation costs. Through CPEC and other related initiatives, Pakistan is positioning itself as a critical player in regional trade, facilitating stronger economic ties among SCO members. 

 opportunities for Pakistan and other SCO nations

However, the opportunities for Pakistan and other SCO nations are broader than those for infrastructure and trade alone. Another critical area where Pakistan and its partners can benefit from enhanced collaboration is energy cooperation. As global energy demands continue to rise, the SCO provides a platform for member states to work together to secure energy supplies, develop renewable energy sources, and share technological innovations in the energy sector.

This cooperation is essential for Pakistan, given the country’s energy shortages and reliance on imported fuels. Joint ventures in energy production, particularly in renewable energy projects such as solar, wind, and hydropower, can help Pakistan meet its growing energy needs while contributing to regional energy security.

As a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member, Pakistan is crucial in advancing regional connectivity, fostering economic collaboration, and contributing to security and stability across South Asia and beyond. Pakistan’s active participation in the SCO reflects its commitment to multilateralism and regional cooperation. It highlights its dedication to shared prosperity, peace, and mutual progress values at the core of the SCO’s objectives.

Since its inception, the SCO has evolved into a significant platform for regional cooperation, particularly in trade, security, and diplomacy. The organization’s diverse membership, which includes major players like China, Russia, and the Central Asian republics, offers a unique opportunity for Pakistan to strengthen its ties with countries that collectively account for nearly half of the world’s population.

With such a vast and varied audience, the potential benefits of greater cooperation within the SCO framework are enormous. Pakistan stands to gain substantially from enhanced engagement, and its contributions to the organization are vital in ensuring that regional aspirations for peace, stability, and development are realized. 

while For Pakistan, combating terrorism is not just a national priority but a regional one. The interconnected nature of security threats in South and Central Asia means that no single country can address these challenges alone.

Pakistan can work closely with neighboring countries through the SCO to build robust counter-terrorism frameworks and ensure collective security. This cooperation extends beyond traditional security measures and addresses the root causes of terrorism, such as poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment. Pakistan and its partners can help create a more stable and secure region by promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development within the SCO framework.

However, Pakistan’s vision for its role within the SCO aligns closely with the organization’s overarching goals of promoting peace, development, and mutual progress. By fostering a climate of mutual trust and understanding and addressing shared challenges through collective action, SCO member states can work towards building a more prosperous, stable, and secure region. Pakistan remains fully committed to contributing meaningfully to this vision and will continue to advance the SCO’s objectives proactively.

Farah Mahmood is a BS International Relations student at the National University of Modern Languages, Rawalpindi.