BISHKEK (MNN); Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stressed that water is the “lifeblood” of the region and must never be used as a weapon or tool of political pressure, while addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State summit in Bishkek.
Addressing the gathering on Tuesday, the prime minister said lasting peace was essential for the region to realise its full economic and developmental potential.
Without directly naming India, PM Shehbaz underlined the importance of honouring the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), saying agreements governing shared water resources were binding international commitments and could not be set aside for political convenience.
“Water sustains millions of lives, nourishes our lands and secures the future of coming generations,” he said, stressing that it must neither be weaponised nor used as an instrument of coercion or political leverage.
His remarks came after the Permanent Court of Arbitration reportedly reaffirmed Pakistan’s position that the Indus Waters Treaty remained in force and directed India to uphold its obligations under the agreement.
Terrorism Remains a Major Regional Threat
PM Shehbaz described terrorism as one of the most serious threats confronting the region and said Pakistan had made enormous sacrifices in the fight against militancy.
He said Pakistan had lost more than 90,000 lives and suffered economic losses exceeding $150 billion during the past two and a half decades due to terrorism.
As chair of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), Pakistan had actively worked to strengthen regional cooperation against terrorism, he added.
The prime minister said Pakistan desired peace and stability in Afghanistan but warned that lasting peace would remain difficult to achieve as long as terrorists continued to use Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan and other countries.
Pakistan Assumes SCO Chairmanship
Pakistan formally assumed the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026-27, with Islamabad set to host the next SCO summit.
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan would pursue its chairmanship under the theme:
“Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity.”
He outlined Pakistan’s proposed plan for the SCO, focusing on information technology, artificial intelligence, energy, poverty reduction, disaster management, healthcare, culture and sports.
Pakistan also proposed the development of an SCO framework for sovereign AI infrastructure and governance to promote responsible and inclusive technological development across member states.
The prime minister said connectivity had become a strategic necessity rather than a choice, highlighting the importance of secure transport routes, energy corridors and resilient supply chains.
He said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) continued to serve as an important gateway linking regional economies with the Arabian Sea.
PM Shehbaz also called for the implementation of the SCO Development Strategy through 2035 and supported the establishment of an SCO Development Bank.
Call for Peace and Diplomacy
Highlighting growing geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, climate challenges and rapid technological change, PM Shehbaz said the SCO represented a collective effort to promote peace, security and prosperity.
He said Pakistan remained committed to resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN and SCO charters.
The premier also referred to Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting regional peace, including mediation efforts in the Middle East and the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
He said Pakistan believed sincere implementation of the Islamabad MoU offered an important pathway towards lasting peace and regional stability.
Makkah Defence Alliance
PM Shehbaz also referred to the recently signed defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, known as the Makkah Defence Alliance.
He reiterated that the alliance was defensive in nature and was neither directed against any country nor intended to create confrontation or division.
The prime minister said Pakistan remained committed to strengthening multilateral cooperation and urged international organisations to translate their commitments into practical action.
Palestine and UN Reforms
The prime minister expressed deep concern over the continuing humanitarian situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank and called upon the international community to take decisive action to protect the rights of the Palestinian people.
He stressed the need to ensure the right to self-determination for Palestinians and other oppressed peoples.
Addressing the SCO Plus Summit, PM Shehbaz also called for urgent reforms within the United Nations, saying the organisation needed to become more accountable, effective and responsive to contemporary global challenges.
He said Pakistan would continue contributing to global peacebuilding efforts and called upon the SCO to deliver tangible benefits to the people of its member states.
Meetings With World Leaders
On the sidelines of the SCO summit, PM Shehbaz held informal interactions with several world leaders, including the presidents of China, Russia, Turkiye, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Belarus and other participating countries.
He also met Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, with both leaders agreeing to enhance cooperation in trade, industry, agriculture, information technology and vocational training.
PM Shehbaz invited the Belarusian president to visit Pakistan again and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations.
Dar Holds Diplomatic Engagements
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also held a series of meetings and informal interactions with foreign ministers and senior officials from China, Russia, Iran, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Belarus and other countries.
During his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Dar stressed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and the sincere implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding for lasting regional peace.
Dar also met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with both sides reaffirming the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
He further held discussions with senior Turkish and Russian officials, focusing on bilateral relations, regional developments, security cooperation and continued diplomatic coordination.
PM Shehbaz concluded his address by calling upon SCO member states to choose cooperation over confrontation, dialogue over division and hope over fear.
He said the SCO must not merely witness the changing global order but play an active role in shaping it for the benefit of the region and its people.
