PM Nawaz stresses need for enhanced regional connectivity at SCO

Premier addresses the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Zhengzhou, China

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday called for collective efforts to confront the challenges of extremism, terrorism, human and drug trafficking, environmental degradation and natural disasters.

Addressing the 14th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China, the premier stated that Pakistan's interests and objectives intersect over a wide range of issues with those of SCO and its members.



PM Nawaz further expressed gratitude as he discussed SCO's decision to enlarge its membership and accept in principle the membership request of two new members, Pakistan and India earlier this year.

"Following this decision, Pakistan has made considerable progress by completing its internal process to fulfill its legal obligations and proceed to relevant treaties and protocols of SCO," PM Nawaz said.

PM Nawaz is leading a high-powered delegation at the meeting which is being held from December 14 to December 15. The delegation consists of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal and Special Assistant to the PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi along with other senior government officials.



Upon his arrival at Zhengzhou International Airport, the premier was received by high ranking officials of the Chinese government along with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong and Pakistan Ambassador to China Masood Khalid.

The meeting is expected to be attended by prime ministers from Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus in addition to the chief executive of Afghanistan, vice premier of Mongolia, minister of state for foreign affairs of India and a minister from Iran. Nawaz will be speaking at the summit.