ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday advised India against using terrorism for diplomatic point scoring, saying that terrorist activities are a serious obstacle to peace in the region.
Addressing the Council of Heads of State (CHS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Shahbaz stressed the importance of combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state-sponsored terrorism.
The Prime Minister emphasized that terrorism and extremism, whether perpetrated by individuals, societies or states, should be fought with full force and conviction.
“Any temptation to use [terrorism] for diplomatic point-scoring must be avoided at all costs. Terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism, must be condemned in clear and unambiguous terms.” .
“There can be no justification for the killing of innocent people and similarly religious minorities should never be demonized in pursuit of the country’s political agenda,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that the international community must raise its voice against the human rights violations in India’s illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K), adding that they must ensure people’s right to self-determination for world peace. Will be. He said that regional disputes should be resolved according to the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
He asked the leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to ensure respect for the universally recognized principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the right to self-determination, as well as the need for prompt and amicable resolution of long-standing conflicts in the region. Is.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s role in regional and global counter-terrorism efforts, which were made at immense sacrifices of blood and treasure.
He called for efforts to focus on countering the three evils of terrorism, extremism and separatism.
The Prime Minister, while addressing the function organized by India, urged the SCO leaders to ensure the fundamental rights and freedoms of all people in the SCO region, including those under occupation, and all forms of oppression. Strive to build positive peace in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization region, combating adversity. Racism, ultra-nationalism and xenophobic ideologies, particularly Islamophobia.
He said that we should strongly oppose divisive policies based on bigotry and discrimination and there should be no place for deliberate incitement and hatred especially on religious grounds.
The CHS is the highest executive body of the SCO where the leaders of the SCO member states approve decisions related to the organization’s strategic direction.
In addition to the heads of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the presidents of the observer countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Iran, Belarus and Mongolia, as well as the presidents of Turkmenistan and the heads of international organizations participated in the CHS.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the principles and objectives of the SCO Charter, describing the Shanghai Spirit as a core value of the SCO, which provides the basis for win-win cooperation.
He also outlined Pakistan’s vision for the SCO as a regional organization focused on promoting peace, prosperity and common development.
Underscoring the importance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan in unlocking the true economic potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization region, the Prime Minister said the international community must engage meaningfully with the transitional Afghan government. He said that the interim Afghan government should also take concrete steps to ensure that its territory is not used by any organization for terrorism.
Noting the threats to human survival posed by climate change, he urged the developed world to fulfill its commitments and better support developing countries in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. provide
Emphasizing investment in connectivity projects, Shahbaz said building efficient transport corridors and reliable supply chains are key elements to achieve the shared vision of an economically integrated region.
He said that CPEC can be a game changer for connectivity, stability, peace and prosperity in the entire region.
He said that the location of Pakistan acts as a natural bridge connecting Europe and Central Asia with China, South Asia and the Middle East. The Special Economic Zones to be set up under the CPEC framework have direct access to our ports which can serve as a convenient route for the promotion of regional trade.
Highlighting the importance of regional connectivity as a vehicle for peace and prosperity, he highlighted that Pakistan’s location made it a natural bridge connecting Europe and Central Asia with China and South Asia.
He announced that Pakistan will host the SCO Conference on Transport Connectivity for Regional Prosperity in the last quarter of 2023.
Calling poverty alleviation a shared priority of the SCO region, he welcomed the establishment of the SCO Special Working Group on Poverty Alleviation, proposed by Pakistan.
At the 23rd CHS meeting, SCO leaders approved 14 key decisions and documents, including the New Delhi Declaration, which articulates the collective position of SCO member states on strategic and geopolitical issues of common interest. Is. They also adopted two joint statements on a strategy to counter radicalization leading to terrorism, extremism and separatism. and support in digital transformation; Also SCO Economic Development Strategy.
The CHS meeting provided an important opportunity for Pakistan to share its priorities for the future direction of the organization.
Since becoming a member of the SCO in 2017, Pakistan has been actively participating in all SCO activities and has been playing a constructive role in achieving the multi-sectoral objectives of the SCO under various SCO mechanisms.
