Pakistan to assume SCO Council of Heads of State chairmanship in September

Pakistan will assume the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of Heads of State (CHS) in September, while also preparing to host the summit next year.

Marking the 25th anniversary of the SCO, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the organisation has played an important role in promoting regional peace, security, stability, economic cooperation, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges among member states, according to a Foreign Office statement issued on Monday.

Dar said Pakistan’s engagement with the regional bloc has evolved from observer status to full membership in 2017, reflecting what he described as the country’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and confidence in regional potential.

Ahead of Pakistan taking over the CHS chairmanship, he said the development reflects trust in Pakistan’s leadership role at both regional and global levels.

He added that Pakistan will pursue an agenda focused on strengthening economic cooperation, improving regional connectivity and deepening mutual understanding among SCO member countries.

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