Islamabad glows as SCO summit begins today

ISLAMABAD:

The twenty-third meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is set to begin on Tuesday, bringing together regional leaders to discuss enhancing collaboration with a focus on trade, economy, and cultural linkages.

Delegates from participating countries have already started arriving in the federal capital, which has received a facelift with colorful lights, floral decorations, and flags and banners from SCO member states to welcome the dignitaries. LED display screens have been installed at major intersections, which are also beautifully illuminated with lights and murals.

Landmarks across the city have been adorned with colorful lights and Pakistani flags, creating unique photo opportunities for citizens and content for social media.

Premier of the State Council of China, Li Qiang, along with a high-level delegation, has already arrived in the capital to attend the meeting and hold discussions with Pakistan's civil and military leadership.

The two-day meeting of SCO CHG, the second highest forum within the SCO, will be chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the current chair of the Council.

Pakistan had assumed the rotating chair of the SCO CHG for 2023-24 at the previous meeting held in Bishkek on October 26, 2023 where the country was represented by then interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani.

The leaders from the SCO member states attending the summit include China's Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Tajik Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Kyrgyzstan's Chairman of Ministers' Cabinet Zhaparov Akylbek, Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.