SCO meet

A big day for Pakistan, given its past challenges, today’s 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Islamabad brings together top leaders from member states to address critical regional issues. Established by China and Russia, the SCO has evolved into a significant intergovernmental platform, focusing on political, economic, defense, and security matters in Eurasia. For Pakistan, this summit represents more than a rotational obligation – it is a crucial moment for strengthening regional ties, enhancing economic cooperation, and demonstrating its capacity to host high-profile multilateral events. The summit will also see the rare visit of Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to Pakistan, making this the first such high-level diplomatic engagement between the two countries in nearly a decade. Given the persistent tensions between Pakistan and India, particularly over security concerns and allegations of cross-border terrorism, this visit alone adds a layer of geopolitical importance to the summit. How both nations engage, even indirectly, will be closely watched by observers, as it could set the tone for future bilateral interactions, including the upcoming Champions Trophy, which Pakistan is slated to host next year.

Pakistan has gone to great lengths to ensure the security of Islamabad during the summit, implementing lockdown measures and a heightened military presence to prevent any untoward incidents. This is not only to protect the integrity of the SCO moot but also to send a strong message: Pakistan can guarantee the safety of such events, despite the challenges posed by ongoing security concerns, including recent terrorist incidents. The focus on China is unavoidable. Pakistan’s relationship with China has deepened significantly in recent years, primarily due to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has been a linchpin of Pakistan’s economic recovery. The visit of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who arrived in Rawalpindi for a four-day visit, underscores the importance of Sino-Pak relations. China’s presence at the SCO Summit also reflects its growing influence in the region, and for Pakistan, this relationship is critical, especially as it seeks to pivot from traditional Western alliances toward a more multipolar global stance. However, while this shift may raise eyebrows in the West – especially in Washington – Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to maintaining balanced diplomatic relations, striving not to side exclusively with any global power bloc.

The economic agenda of the SCO Summit is equally significant for Pakistan. After years of economic instability, the country has seen the first signs of recovery, and bolstering trade and investment ties with SCO nations, particularly China and Russia, is essential to sustaining this momentum. The summit offers an opportunity for Pakistan to promote CPEC’s success and advocate for greater regional economic cooperation, positioning itself as a key player in connecting Eurasia’s markets through its strategic geography. While the summit’s outcomes will be measured by its discussions on trade, security, and economic cooperation, its success will also be judged by Pakistan’s ability to host a seamless, incident-free event. Observers have noted that if Pakistan successfully navigates the logistical and security challenges posed by the summit, it will be seen as a significant diplomatic win, especially given the country’s long hiatus from hosting such high-profile multilateral conferences. This could also neutralize India’s perennial claims of security risks in Pakistan, which are often cited as pretexts for avoiding bilateral engagements.

However, political distractions loom on the horizon. The PTI has called for a protest today, coinciding with the summit – viewed by many as a reckless and poorly timed attempt to disrupt the government’s efforts to showcase Pakistan’s diplomatic capabilities. While protests are a legitimate form of political expression, the timing raises concerns about undermining the country’s international standing at a moment when national unity and a cohesive front are most needed. With the world watching, Pakistan has a unique opportunity to prove itself as a capable host, a pivotal regional player, and a country committed to fostering peace, security, and economic cooperation in Eurasia.