ISLAMABAD, OCT 16 (DNA) : The 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit has begun in Islamabad with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivering the keynote address.
The summit, held at the Jinnah Convention Centre, welcomed leaders and representatives from across the region on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived at the venue earlier in the day, where he was greeted by senior officials before delivering his opening remarks to the SCO Council of Heads of Government.
The summit is being held under tight security in the capital.
Among the attendees are Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and leaders from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Iran. India is represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while Mongolia is participating as an observer, represented by its Prime Minister.
The summit focuses on strengthening regional cooperation and trade among SCO member states, with discussions set to cover key issues affecting the region.
Following this, leaders from the participating countries will take turns to speak on various issues facing the region.
After the speeches, official documents are expected to be signed, and the summit will conclude with remarks by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The closing session will be followed by a media briefing with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the SCO Secretary General.
A formal luncheon will also be hosted in honour of the visiting delegates.
Bilateral Meetings Focus on Trade and Cooperation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states who gathered in Islamabad 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.
The discussions focused on expanding trade, investment, and regional connectivity with these countries.
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 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.
 : The 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit has begun in Islamabad with Prime Minister Shehbaz){kind=link}