PM calls for enhancing ties with SCO states
PM Shehbaz Sharif and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang gesture after unveiling a plaque to mark the completion of New Gwadar International Airport during a ceremony at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad. Photo: AFP
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states who gathered in Islamabad on Tuesday to attend the Heads of Government (CHG) meeting on Wednesday (today).
Shehbaz met Prime Ministers Roman Golovchenko of Belarus, Qohir Rasulzoda of Tajikistan and Olzhas Bektenov of Kazakhstan besides Akylbek Japarov, the Cabinet Chairman of Kyrgyzstan, and Rashid Meredov, the Deputy Chairman of the Turkmenistan Cabinet.
During the separate meetings on the sidelines of the SCO-CHG, Prime Minister Shehbaz called for sustained exchanges between the SCO member states to realise the potential of bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Office.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his meeting with Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, discussed potential cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, agricultural machinery, and the joint production of tractors.
Shehbaz welcomed the participation of Belarus in the SCO-CHG meeting. He felicitated Belarus on becoming a full member of the SCO and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to working closely with Belarus to foster the "Shanghai Spirit".
During meetings with his counterparts from the Central Asian States, topics coming under discussion included the strengthening of cooperation in trade, investment and regional connectivity between Pakistan and its Central Asian partners.
In the meeting with Rasulzoda, Shehbaz stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral collaboration across all spheres of shared interest, including trade, investment, energy and regional connectivity.
Rasulzoda thanked Pakistan for sugar exports to Tajikistan – a step that had boosted bilateral trade.
In the meeting with Kyrgyz leader Akylbek Japarov, Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan's desire to deepen cooperation with Kyrgyzstan. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, stressing the need to explore new areas of collaboration.
Shehbaz emphasised the need for increasing high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Turkmenistan in his meeting with Rashid Meredov. He called on both sides to continue working closely to realise the full potential of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the domains of trade, energy and connectivity.
In his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Bektenov, Shehbaz highlighted the existence of warm and excellent bilateral relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan and emphasised the need for enhancing trade and investment while also focusing on regional connectivity and security.
To achieve this shared objective, Shehbaz emphasised the need for maintaining regular and high-level contacts through institutional mechanisms of bilateral engagement. He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to working with all SCO countries to advance the organization's principles and purposes.