Brussels/Bishkek, (Unib Rashid) – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said Pakistan will focus on strengthening regional connectivity, promoting innovation and advancing shared prosperity during its chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2027.

Addressing the SCO Council of Heads of State Meeting in Bishkek, the Prime Minister congratulated the Kyrgyz Republic on successfully hosting the summit and steering the organisation with distinction.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that, guided by the “Shanghai Spirit,” the SCO had emerged over the past 25 years as a vital platform for regional cooperation.

Referring to Pakistan’s significant sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, the Prime Minister reiterated that terrorism must be condemned in all its forms and manifestations. He stressed the importance of collective efforts to promote peace, security and stability across the region.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the critical importance of water resources for the region, stressing that water must never be weaponised. He called for full respect for binding international treaties governing shared water resources and emphasised that such agreements must be honoured in letter and spirit.

Pakistan will conduct its SCO chairmanship in 2027 under the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.

He expressed confidence that the SCO would continue to grow from strength to strength and play an increasingly meaningful role in improving the lives of its more than three billion people.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came as Pakistan formally assumed the SCO chairmanship for 2027, providing Islamabad with an opportunity to advance its priorities on regional connectivity, economic cooperation, innovation and sustainable development.