Tianjin: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the SCO charter. Addressing the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO at Tianjin in China, he also reaffirmed the steadfast resolve to uphold the noble values of the Shanghai spirit.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister noted that the SCO is a platform that best represents Pakistan’s abiding commitment to regional cooperation and integration. He emphasized that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), can serve as a practical demonstration of SCO’s vision for regional connectivity and economic integration. Sharif asserted Pakistan’s support for the sovereignty and integrity of all SCO members and its neighbors, stressing respect for international and bilateral treaties.

He highlighted the importance of uninterrupted access to water as per existing treaties among SCO members, which would bolster the organization’s smooth functioning and help achieve its broader goals. Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s belief in multilateralism, dialogue, and diplomacy, seeking normal, stable relations with all neighbors while promoting peace, progress, and prosperity in the region.

The Prime Minister condemned terrorism in all its forms, including state terrorism, and revealed irrefutable evidence of foreign involvement in terror attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He reiterated the significance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan for regional interests and expressed confidence in trilateral meetings involving Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan.

Sharif also highlighted the damage caused by recent rains and floods in Pakistan, appreciating international support, including from China. He mentioned the country’s economic recovery over the past eighteen months and reiterated Pakistan’s call for an immediate end to Israeli violence in Gaza. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the UN-mandated two-state solution, advocating for an independent Palestinian state with pre-1967 borders and Al Quds al Sharif as its capital.