Delegates start arriving for SCO summit, Chinese Premier Li Qiang lands in Islamabad

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang has arrived in Islamabad for a three-day official visit, marking the first trip by a Chinese premier to Pakistan in 11 years.

Premier Qiang who has arrived in Islamabad on the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Pakistan is preparing to host the 23rd meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Islamabad, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.

The meeting will see the participation of prime ministers and high-ranking officials from SCO member states, including Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and the First Vice President of Iran. The External Affairs Minister of India and Premier of the State Council of China, Li Qiang, will also represent their respective countries.

Media reports indicate that a four-member delegation from India, along with 76 representatives from Russia, 15 officials from China, a two-member team from Iran, and a four-member delegation from Kyrgyzstan, arrived in Islamabad.

Additionally, seven delegates from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) also reached the capital.

Premier Li will be accompanied by ministers and senior officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission and the China International Development Cooperation Agency.

During the visit, several agreements are expected to be signed between the two countries, including $2 billion loan for the construction of Karakoram Highway. The Chinese premier is also expected to perform soft launching of the Gwadar International Airport.

Premier Li is visiting Islamabad ahead of the start of the two-day meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a move seen by diplomatic sources as a message for those forces which had been trying to undermine China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Premier Shehbaz and Premier Li Qiang will lead their respective delegations to comprehensively discuss all aspects of Pakistan-China relations including economic and trade ties and cooperation under CPEC.

The two sides will also discuss regional and global developments.

The SCO summit will focus on enhancing cooperation in various sectors such as economy, trade, environment, and socio-cultural linkages, while also reviewing the organisation's performance. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to hold significant bilateral meetings with the heads of delegations on the sidelines of the summit.

Established on June 15, 2001, the SCO aims to strengthen multilateral cooperation, promote peace and security, and establish a new economic international order.