Indian Minister for External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Delegates from member and invited countries have begun arriving in the capital, where strict security measures are being implemented.
The annual meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) – the organization’s second-highest forum – will be chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the current chair of the Council.
Attendees of the Summit
Leaders attending the summit include:
- China: Premier Li Qiang
- Belarus: Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko
- Kazakhstan: Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov
- Russia: Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin
- Tajikistan: Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda
- Uzbekistan: Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov
- Kyrgyzstan: Chairman of the Ministers’ Cabinet Zhaparov Akylbek
- Iran: First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref
- India: External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
Mongolia will attend as an Observer State, represented by Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, while Turkmenistan, as a Special Guest, will be represented by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Rashid Meredov.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to host a welcome dinner for the dignitaries on Tuesday evening.
Pakistan’s Agreements on the Summit’s Sidelines
Meetings on the sidelines of the SCO summit hold significant importance for Pakistan, with expectations to sign MoUs worth $11 billion for investments with China, Russia, and other member states. The agreements are anticipated to cover various sectors, including IT, agriculture, and infrastructure projects such as the Main Line-I (ML-I) railway project.
Pakistan is likely to finalize a $6.8 billion investment agreement with China for the ML-I railway project, which will be executed in three phases costing $2.7 billion, $2.6 billion, and $1.4 billion, respectively. Another significant project in consideration is the Sukkur to Hyderabad Motorway, estimated to cost 400 billion rupees. This project will complete the Karachi to Peshawar motorway route.
Discussions are also underway for the construction of the Thakot to Raikot section of the Karakoram Highway, with an estimated cost of $1 billion. Additionally, a $2 billion agreement for the Azad Pattan hydropower project, expected to generate 700 megawatts by 2026, is also on the agenda.
China and Pakistan will be signing MoUs for the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC-II), while talks with Russia will focus on railway, energy, and infrastructure projects. An agreement related to agricultural machinery and equipment will also be discussed with Belarus.
Enhanced Security Measures
The government has made comprehensive preparations for the summit, emphasizing both security and beautification efforts in Islamabad. Over 10,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety of approximately 900 delegates. The army has also been called in to assist with security, and Rangers have been stationed throughout the capital.
To facilitate the event, the government has announced three days of holidays for public offices, educational institutions, and commercial centers in Islamabad. All wedding halls will remain closed to ensure the smooth operation of the summit, and metro bus services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi will be suspended during the event.
About the SCO
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a regional international organization founded in 2001. Its primary goals are to promote economic, political, and security cooperation among its member states. The SCO emphasizes principles of mutual trust, equality, and non-interference in internal affairs, focusing on regional stability and development.
