ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan reached Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to attendthe 19th meeting of the Council of the Heads of State of the ShanghaiCooperation Organization (SCO).
The Prime Minister was received by his Kyrgyz counterpart MukhammedkalyiAbylgaziev and Kyrgyz Minister for Health Kosmosbek Sarievich Cholponbaev.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Special Assistant to PM on YouthAffairs Muhammad Usman Dar are accompanying the Prime Minister.
The invitation to the Prime Minister was extended by Kyrgyz PresidentSooronbay Jeenbekov, who would Chair the CHS Meeting. The Leaders of SCOMember and Observer States as well as representatives of importantInternational Organizations will attend the Meeting.
A number of decisions will be approved by the Leaders, besides signing ofAgreements to intensify cooperation in diverse fields. The Prime Ministerwill have bilateral interaction with other participating Leaders on thesidelines.
SCO is among the major trans-regional organizations. Pakistan shares deeprooted historical and cultural links with SCO Member States. SCO’smulti-sectoral cooperation agenda is in line with Pakistan’s policy ofpromoting regional peace and stability and seeking enhanced linkages ininfrastructure, economic, trade and cultural spheres.
Read Top Stories
Pakistan offers critical overland route for trade and energy and supportsSCO’s efforts for regional integration through linking CPEC with the 6 landroutes of SCO.
Since becoming an SCO member in 2017, Pakistan has been activelyparticipating at all levels in various SCO mechanisms including ForeignAffairs, Defence, National Security, Economy and Trade, Education andHealthcare, Innovation, Youth and Women Empowerment, Justice, Agriculture,Culture, Sports, Tourism and Media.
Besides Pakistan, SCO members comprise China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. SCO Observers include Afghanistan,Iran, Belarus and Mongolia. The Council of Heads of State is the highestforum of SCO which considers and defines strategy, prospects and prioritiesof the Organization.
