ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday offered toconnect China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with six approved routes ofShanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to enhance region’s connectivity.
This would become a conduit linking Eurasian landmass, China, Russia andCentral Asia with the Arabian Sea, the Prime Minister said in his meetingwith Secretary General of SCO Rashid Alimov here at the PM Office.
This is the first visit of SCO Secretary General after attainment ofPakistan’s full membership of SCO.
The Prime Minister expressed support for various SCO’s initiativesincluding establishment of SCO Development Bank, SCO Development Fund, SCOBusiness Council, SCO Interbank Consortium and it’s Small and MediumEnterprises.
He thanked Secretary General for his support in steering the process ofPakistan’s membership of SCO and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment towards“Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, respect forcultural diversity and pursuit of common development.
He said Pakistan shared with SCO and its members, deep-rooted historicaland cultural links and strong economic and strategic complementarity.
Highlighting Pakistan’s active participation in all the SCO activities, thePrime Minister appreciated that SCO had established itself as a significantand influential player in the international arena by leveraging itscomparative advantages.
The Prime Minister said SCO’s unique and pragmatic portfolio of economic,trade, development, security and counter-terrorism cooperationdistinguished it from other international organizations.
He expressed support for the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS)and reiterated Pakistan’s strong opposition to the evils of terrorism,extremism and separatism.
The Secretary General appreciated Pakistan’s active participation in allSCO activities and said the the inclusion of new members like Pakistan hadgreatly strengthened SCO as a true cross-regional and cross-continentalorganization playing a multifaceted role in the world politics.
He said SCO could enormously benefit from Pakistan’s experience insuccessful combating of the menace of terrorism, narcotics and drugs aswell as its economic strengths and connectivity potentials. – APP