Qamar Bashir
As part of a media group, we visited two provinces in China, Xinjiang and Shanxi in August this year, both of which are central to many aspects of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). We witnessed firsthand the impressive infrastructure, including railroad links, warehouses, border markets, ports, dry ports, as well as air and land links. This expansive and efficient system, with a total estimated value exceeding $1 trillion, serves as the vital arteries for seamless trade between China, Central Asian states, Russia, and Europe, facilitating over $600 billion in trade annually, with investments exceeding $150 billion.
This infrastructure is not only robust but also designed to operate year-round, providing multiple routes and means to ensure uninterrupted trade flows. While other SCO member countries, such as China, Russia, and the Central Asian states, have capitalized on these opportunities, Pakistan appears to be lagging in its integration into the SCO ecosystem. When we raised this issue with the Pakistani Ambassador to China, Mr. Khalil Hashmi, who happened to be my colleague during a senior management training course, he candidly acknowledged that the embassy has been consistently sharing information on project opportunities, investment openings, and research and development prospects with relevant ministries in Pakistan. However, he lamented that the response from these ministries has often been shallow and lacking in substance. There seems to be no strong push or pull factor, appetite, or desire from the ministries to exploit the opportunities provided by SCO member states. Consequently, Pakistan remains a relatively dormant member of the SCO, hindered by the lack of competency and capacity within its line ministries.
This assessment underscores the need for Pakistan to actively engage with the opportunities offered by the SCO, particularly in infrastructure, trade, and investment, to avoid falling further behind in regional economic integration.
In this context, hosting the 23rd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) on October 15-16, 2024, becomes particularly important for Pakistan. It is crucial that the event is organized without controversy for several reasons, especially considering the opportunities it offers. Firstly, this event provides Pakistan with a chance to demonstrate its potential as an active and engaged SCO member, a platform that holds significant economic and geopolitical benefits. Hosting this summit also gives Pakistan a unique opportunity to integrate more fully into the SCO system and build its international reputation.
By successfully hosting the event, Pakistan can signal to the international community that it is serious about addressing its domestic challenges and taking advantage of the economic and security cooperation frameworks offered by the SCO. In contrast, if the event is overshadowed by domestic political conflicts or disruptions, it could harm Pakistan’s credibility both among SCO member states and potential investors. Such controversies could obscure the positive outcomes of the meeting, including the potential to strengthen bilateral and multilateral relationships within the SCO.
In addition, hosting the SCO meeting smoothly, without causing disruptions to public life or sidelining political opposition, is crucial for Pakistan’s internal stability and its image as a competent, stable nation capable of managing both international diplomacy and domestic governance. Successfully managing this event can enhance Pakistan’s standing within the SCO, attract investments, and open new avenues for regional cooperation, especially in sectors like infrastructure, trade, and technology.
However, it is unfortunate that the government, political parties, and other power brokers are exploiting this event for political point-scoring. This has resulted in further suppression of opposition parties, particularly the PTI, by suspending public services, disrupting the education of thousands of children, and shutting down businesses. Major transportation arteries have been closed, turning the capital into a near ghost town.
Moreover, fundamental rights have been suspended under the guise of providing security for the SCO meeting. Protests and public meetings have been banned, meetings between PTI leaders and their incarcerated members prohibited, and courts and offices closed. These actions are being used as an opportunity to push through controversial constitutional amendments, detracting from the event’s potential for positive diplomatic and economic outcomes. This exploitation not only undermines the essence of hosting such a significant international meeting but also jeopardizes the opportunity for Pakistan to benefit from deeper regional cooperation and enhanced credibility.
I served as Press Attaché in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for four years and in Paris, France, for another four years. During this time, I attended numerous high-level conferences and events, and never witnessed disruptions to public services, suppression of protests, or the shutdown of cities, courts, or businesses during such events. In countries with robust administrative systems and established democratic norms, high-profile international events like VVIP summits are managed without severe disruptions to daily life or the suspension of fundamental rights.
For instance, countries like France, Malaysia, and the United States have hosted major international events such as the G7, APEC summits, and COP climate conferences with minimal disturbance. During the Paris Climate Agreement and G7 Summits, France implemented advanced security protocols while ensuring that public institutions remained operational, allowing citizens to carry on with their daily routines.
In contrast, Pakistan’s approach to hosting the SCO meeting in Islamabad reflects a different governance model. The event is being used as a political tool to suppress opposition, disrupt public services, and curtail fundamental rights. Schools, transportation, and courts have been shut down under the pretext of security measures, which serves more to suppress dissent and score political points than to facilitate smooth diplomacy. This starkly contrasts with democratic nations, where public service disruptions are rare, and the political manipulation of international events is discouraged to maintain public trust and uphold the rule of law.
In this context the role of the government and political parties, particularly the PTI, should be one of responsibility, national unity, and cooperation, rather than division. The government has a duty to ensure that the hosting of such an important international event is conducted smoothly, without infringing on the fundamental rights of its citizens or politicizing the event. Its primary focus should be on showcasing Pakistan’s ability to engage constructively with the international community, leveraging the SCO platform to attract investments, boost economic cooperation, and integrate more effectively into regional trade and development initiatives. Any disruptions, whether in public services or political rights, should be minimized, and security measures should be implemented without compromising the freedom and rights of the population.
On the other hand, PTI and other opposition parties must approach the event with a sense of political maturity. While they have the right to voice dissent and protest, they should avoid actions that could disrupt or undermine the significance of the SCO meeting. Given the potential long-term benefits for the country, including increased trade, investment, and diplomatic relations, PTI’s role should be constructive—promoting dialogue and ensuring that their political activities do not harm Pakistan’s standing on the international stage. Both the government and the opposition need to recognize that hosting such events is a national duty, and political point-scoring should not take precedence over the broader national interest.
Qamar Bashir
Former Press Secretary to the President
Former Press Minister to the Embassy of Pakistan to France
Former MD, SRBC, CEO, ATV
