Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday joined the leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at its Heads of State meeting held in the historic city of Samarkand.
PM Shehbaz along with leaders of the eight-member SCO attended the close-format Council of Heads of States at the Congress Centre, where he was welcomed by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attended the session.
During the address today, the prime minister called upon the SCO member states to come up with Pakistan-specific programmes on climate change as the country faced the devastating impact of climate change.
“This climatic injustice has befallen us despite the fact that our carbon emission is less than one per cent,” the prime minister said in his address at the SCO moot.
The prime minister’s call to the SCO members came in the wake of the recent flash floods in Pakistan that wreaked havoc with the livelihood of millions and infrastructure across the country.
Shehbaz mentioned that Pakistan was braving extraordinary floods, which have killed 1,400 people including 400 children while millions of houses have been damaged partially or completely.
“I earnestly appeal to all of you that let the SCO stand up and take steps against this devastation through sustainable programmes,” he said.
The premier said the country never faced such a level of climate-induced catastrophe in its history and stressed the dire need for assistance by the international community to help Pakistan overcome the problems in the wake of floods, including relief, rehabilitation and control of water-borne diseases.
“In view of the massive disaster, I would be very honest to urge this forum to extend assistance to Pakistan and chalk out plans regarding climate change for our future generations,” he said.
He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm and unwavering commitment to achieving the goals of the SCO.
Shehbaz expressed Pakistan’s commitment to join the SCO states in the implementation of robust connectivity plans among neighbouring regional countries.
“It will be a win-win outcome for all the member states. This is the time to act, and act now,” he stressed.
The prime minister said Pakistan was firm in collective dedication to fight the menace of extremism, separatism and terrorism.
In the fight against terrorism, he said, thousands of Pakistani civilians and armed forces laid down their lives for the security of their homeland.
As for neighbouring Afghanistan, he said, Pakistan valued peace, progress and shared development of the country important for the region.
“We have to work together to support all good initiatives in Afghanistan for the good of the people of Afghanistan in areas, particularly education, health and human rights,” he said.
He said it would be a “big mistake if we ignored Afghanistan.” and emphasised that strengthening Afghanistan is vital in view of the stability of the region besides achieving the goals of the SCO.
The premier further urged the SCO community to work towards unfreezing the assets of Afghanistan and ensuring respect for human rights, especially for women and minorities.
Shehbaz is also scheduled to hold meetings with other world leaders on the sidelines of the SCO summit, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of Kazakhstan Kassym Jomart Tokayev.
Concluding his visit, the prime minister is expected to visit the mausoleum of Hazrat Imam Bokhari to pay his respects.
Shehbaz meets Xi
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 22nd SCO Council of Heads of State moot in Samarkand.
The PM’s maiden meeting with the Chinese president since assuming office in April remained a traditionally warm affair marked by mutual trust and understanding, said a statement from the PMO.
In his welcoming remarks, the Chinese president described PM Shehbaz as “a person of pragmatism and efficiency”. He also added that the PM was a leader with “a longstanding commitment to China-Pakistan friendship”.
The two leaders reviewed the gamut of bilateral relations and exchanged views on important regional and international issues of mutual interest.
PM Shehbaz expressed his gratitude towards China for extending support to the country as it battles devastation from catastrophic floods, adding that “the outpouring of sympathy and support from all quarters across China was touching and a true reflection of our unique friendship”.
He also condoled President Xi over the tragic loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Sichuan Province on September 5, 2022, emphasising that Pakistan stood with China in the face of the natural calamity.
The premier briefed President Xi on his government’s policies for Pakistan’s sustained growth, industrial development, agricultural modernisation, and regional connectivity, making special mention of the “transformational impact” of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor on Pakistan’s socio-economic development.
Both leaders also welcomed the signing of a Protocol to the Framework Agreement on ML-1 Railway Project, added the statement.
PM Shehbaz also lauded President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Global Development Initiative (GDI), which he said called for “collective action for sustainable development and win-win outcomes”.
Noting the enduring nature of China-Pakistan bilateral ties, the premier reaffirmed his personal resolve to take their bilateral relations to greater heights.
Underscoring the significance of the forum provided by the SCO members to further their shared vision and mutual values into concrete plans for regional cooperation and integration, the premier reiterated Pakistan’s consistent and unwavering support to China on all issues of its core interest including Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong.
He also extended his gratitude to China for its support to the country on matters including sovereignty and territorial integrity, FATF, national development, Covid-19 pandemic among others.
The two leaders also exchanged views on international relations, climate change, health pandemics and growing inequalities. PM Shehbaz also took the opportunity to highlight the human rights abuses taking place in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and thanked China for its “principled stand” on the disputed territory.
The PM extended his best wishes to President Xi and the Communist Party of China (CPC) for the forthcoming 20th CPC National Congress.
The two also extended invitations to a state visit to their respective countries at an early date.
Premier meets Azerbaijan president
The prime minister met President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev today and discussed issues of bilateral interest.
