by Prof. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal•Published on October 15, 2024

The rapid transformation in global geopolitics has intensified the vitality of multinational organizations for regional peace and security. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has steadily evolved as an important Eurasian multilateral forum, primarily aimed at resolving the non-traditional security challenges to the member States. It does not undertake bilateral disputes but provides ample opportunity for the participating leaders to contemplate bilateral issues on the sidelines of the Summit. Hence, during the last two decades, its members have been using it for increasing mutual economic and trade cooperation.

SCO was established 2001 as a multilateral association to ensure security and stability across the vast Eurasian region. Its primary purpose in addressing three evil forces—terrorism, separatism, and extremism—remains the principal concern of the leaders of the Organization. Pakistan became a member of the SCO in 2017. Since then, Islamabad has actively participated in the Organization’s activities. Presently,  under the rotating chairmanship of the Organization, Pakistan is hosting the 23^rd meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) of the Member States of the SCO (15 to October 16, 2024) in Islamabad. The CHG is the second-highest decision-making body of the SCO. Indeed,  the SCO-CHG meeting marks an important milestone in Pakistan’s foreign policy and contributes positively to improving the image of the country in the international community.

Top Regional Leaders Arrive Islamabad

The CHG meeting is attended by the Prime Ministers of China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the First Vice President of Iran, and the External Affairs Minister of India. Besides, Prime Minister of Mongolia Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene (Observer State), Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov (Special Guest) are also participating in the meeting. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif presides over the CHG meeting. The CHG reviews the Organization’s performance and focuses on enhancing the economy, trade, environment, and socio-cultural linkages among the members.

The forum provides an opportunity to conduct bilateral meetings on the sidelines of CHG meeting, and deliberate on the issues of mutula interests. Premier Shehbaz scheduled bilateral meetings with all the visiting dignitaries except the Indian External Affairs Minister. Presently, New Delhi and Islamabad are unprepared for the resumption of bilateral dialogue. Hence, Mr. Jaishanker would participate only in the SCO events. Nevertheless, his visit is a step in the right direction. It is a reciprocity of former Foreign Minister Bilawal’s visit to India in 2023. Ironically, neither Bilawal nor Jaishanker could break the ice and recalibrate India-Pakistan diplomatic relations.

The attendance of seven Chief executives, especially Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, lends credibility to the event.  Notably, Qiang has a broader agenda for his visit to Pakistan. He is accompanied by ministers and senior officials from the ministries of foreign affairs and commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the China International Development Cooperation Agency. Besides attending the SCO-CHG meeting, he was scheduled to attend many bilateral meetings during his stay from 14 to October 17 in Islamabad. He aimed to further the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between China and Pakistan. Besides critically examining the progress of CPEC, both sides are expected to sign various new agreements.

Beijing’s primary concern is Pakistan’s security of Chinese officials, engineers, workers, investors, and visitors. On October 6, 2024, two Chinese were killed, one injured, when the suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden Toyota Hilux into a convoy carrying Chinese nationals in the vicinity of the Karachi airport. The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), through its spokesperson Jeeand Baloch, claimed responsibility for the attack and reiterated that it would continue such heinous acts to sabotage China-Pakistan relations, especially spoiling China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects. Police FIR revealed that BLA commander Bashir Ahmed alias Bashir Zeb and Abdul Rehman alias Rehman Gul, among others, engineered the suicide attack.

Islamabad has been ensuring Beijing that it has been doing its best to provide foolproof security to the Chinese residing in Pakistan. On October 7, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured the Chinese, “After identifying those responsible for the incident as soon as possible, they will be brought to justice. Protection of the life and property of our Chinese brothers in Pakistan is our first priority.” President Asif Ali Zardari and Premier Shehbaz Sharif visited the Chinese Embassy and extended their condolence to Ambassador Jiang Zaidong over the killing of the Chinese nationals.

China Vows to Strengthen the China-Pak Economic Strategic Partnership

Currently, Pakistani society and state are vulnerable to terrorism, and extremism. These evils are immensely destabilizing Pakistan’s internal security. It is an open secret that banned BLA has received financial and weaponry assistance from India and has safe hideouts in  Afghanistan. Therefore, Pakistan has to chalk out a transnational strategy to curb the support of the neighboring states to radicalized militant organizations such as banned TTP and BLA. Despite the killings of Chinese by terrorists in Pakistan, China has expressed its resolve to strengthen the China-Pakistan economic strategic partnership further. On October 10, Beijing ensured Islamabad cooperated with it to protect the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in Pakistan.

To conclude, hosting the 23rd  SCO-CHG meeting is a significant diplomatic achievement that negates the propaganda that Pakistan is isolated, enhances bilateral and multilateral socio-economic cooperation, harmonizes counterterrorism and law-enforcement policies, and reinforces cultural bonds with the Eurasian community.

Disclaimer. The views and opinions expressed in this analysis are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MEPEI. Any content provided by our author is of his opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.

Prof. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal

Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal is an Islamabad-based analyst and Professor at the School of Politics and International Relations at Quaid-i-Azam University. He is a nonresident senior fellow of the Hong Kong Research Center for Asian Studies (RCAS). He is the author of Arms Control in South Asia: Politics, Postures, and Practices (2024): India's Surgical Strike Stratagem: Brinksmanship and Responses: and Nuclear Risk Reduction Measures and Restraint Regime in South Asia Twitter: @zafar_jaspal