BRUSSELS/BISHKEK, (Unib Rashid) – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for water to be kept outside political disputes, stressing that shared water resources must never be weaponised or used as a tool of political coercion.

Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Plus Format meeting in Bishkek, the prime minister described water as the “lifeblood” of the region, sustaining millions of people, nourishing agricultural lands and securing the future of coming generations.

“Water is the lifeblood of our region that sustains millions of lives, nourishes our lands and secures the very future of our coming generations. It must never be weaponised or used for political coercion,” he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz stressed that treaties governing shared water resources constituted binding commitments that must be honoured unconditionally, both in letter and spirit.

His remarks came a day after the Permanent Court of Arbitration reaffirmed that the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty remained in force and issued interim measures concerning the Ratle Hydroelectric Plant.

The SCO Plus meeting was held under the theme, “The UN as a Key Element of the Just World Order: The Contribution of the SCO Plus States to the Formation of a Multipolar World.” It was chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, whose country holds the rotating SCO presidency for 2025-26.

Pakistan’s Peace Efforts

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan, as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, had actively contributed to global peace efforts over the past two years.

He said Pakistan’s peace initiatives had culminated in the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which he described as a viable and enduring pathway towards ending the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region through dialogue and diplomacy.

The prime minister also highlighted Pakistan’s Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, saying it had strengthened prospects for regional peace by conveying a message of unity and common resolve.

Call for UN Reform

Referring to the United Nations’ 80-year history, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the organisation had adopted collective approaches to address global challenges, including poverty, hunger, disease and environmental degradation.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the UN Charter, while observing that the emergence of a multipolar world presented an opportunity to establish a more equitable, democratic and just international system.

“Today, the UN is urgently in need of reform. It must become more accountable and responsive,” he said.

Gaza Crisis

The prime minister described the situation in Gaza and the West Bank as deeply troubling and urged the international community to take decisive action to end the suffering of the Palestinian people.

He called for the upholding of Palestinians’ inalienable right to self-determination, adding that the same rights should be ensured for all oppressed nations.

Terrorism: Pakistan Calls for End to Use of Afghan Soil

Prime Minister Shehbaz identified terrorism as a common threat and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advancing the shared objectives of the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in confronting terrorism, separatism and religious extremism.

“Pakistan will continue to bravely confront and defeat the scourge of terrorism,” he said, noting that more than 90,000 lives had been lost and the country had suffered economic losses of around $150 billion in its fight against terrorism.

He called for the condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism.

The prime minister stressed that the vision of regional connectivity could only be realised through peace and stability in Afghanistan. He called for an end to the use of Afghan territory by terrorist groups to carry out attacks against Pakistan and other neighbouring countries.

Pakistan’s SCO Chairmanship

Speaking about Pakistan’s assumption of the SCO chairmanship, Prime Minister Shehbaz said Islamabad would be guided by the conviction that the organisation must deliver tangible benefits to its people.

He said Pakistan would prioritise information technology and artificial intelligence, energy, development and poverty reduction, disaster management, health, culture and sports during its year-long chairmanship.

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to realise the full potential of the SCO and sought the continued cooperation of member states as well as the wider SCO Plus family.

He also invited participating leaders to attend the next session of the SCO Plus Format, which will be hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad in 2027 as the country assumes the SCO presidency for 2026-27.