ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is ready to expand mutually beneficial trade, economiccooperation and connectivity in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)region.

This was stated by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz, whiletalking to SCO General Secretary Rashid Alimov in Islamabad on Tuesday.

He said that Pakistan encourages trade and transit through its territory asit is upgrading infrastructure, roads, railways and ports.

He said Pakistan is open to become conduit for linking Eurasian landmass,China, Russia and Central Asia with the Arabian Sea.

Sartaj Aziz said that CPEC will provide natural connectivity to SCO memberStates and is already connected to six routes of SCO through the nodalpoint of Kashgar.

He said that CPEC-SCO connectivity would further enhance economiccooperation and special economic zones along the corridor will spur growthand economic opportunities for the entire region.

Rashid Alimov said that the full membership of Pakistan in SCO will greatlyenhance the development prospects of the entire region.