Pakistan’s foreign policy has made significant progress during the SCO summit. FO spokesperson

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated in an interview with a private news program that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is crucial for enhancing regional connectivity.

She stated that Pakistan is keen to persist in efforts for regional connectivity.

She stated that through the SCO, Pakistan will engage in discussions with leaders of Central Asian States to strengthen connections in trade, energy, and railway sectors, hence enhancing regional connectivity.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that discussions are underway with Turkiye to connect roads with the railways.

The two-day SCO meeting begins in Islamabad.

The 23rd two-day meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) began in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Delegates from member and invited states have commenced their arrival in the federal capital, which is under rigorous security protocols.

The annual meeting of the SCO CHG, the second highest forum within the SCO, will take place at the Jinnah Convention Center and will be presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the current head of the Council.

Pakistan assumed the rotating chair of the SCO CHG for 2023-24 during the prior meeting in Bishkek on October 26, 2023.

Who will be present at the summit?
The summit is attended by leaders from SCO member states, including Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of China; Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of Belarus; Olzhas Bektenov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan; Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of Russia; Kohir Rasulzoda, Prime Minister of Tajikistan; Abdulla Aripov, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan; Zhaparov Akylbek, Chairman of the Ministers’ Cabinet of Kyrgyzstan; Mohammad Reza Aref, First Vice President of Iran; and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Indian External Affairs Minister.