SCO Summit 2024: A strategic opportunity for Pakistan’s regional leadership

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit holds immense importance for Pakistan. As a prominent member of this influential regional bloc, hosting the summit provides Pakistan with a unique platform to strengthen its journey toward economic growth and regional integration. With key leaders from China, Russia, India, and Central Asia participating, the conference will outline a roadmap not only for enhancing economic cooperation and regional connectivity but also for ensuring geopolitical stability across the region.

SCO, one of the largest regional organizations globally in terms of geographical scope and population, encompasses almost half of the world’s population and a significant portion of global GDP. Originally focused on addressing security concerns like terrorism, separatism, and extremism, the organization has evolved into a crucial platform for fostering economic cooperation and regional development. Since becoming a full member of SCO in 2017, Pakistan has achieved notable success in bolstering its diplomatic and economic relations with neighbouring countries and global powers.

Pakistan’s strategic location further enhances its role within the SCO framework, as it connects key regions such as South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. With shared borders with China, India, Afghanistan, and Iran, and access to vital maritime routes via the Arabian Sea, Pakistan serves as a critical corridor for trade and energy supply. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), exemplifies Pakistan’s potential in promoting regional connectivity. By offering Central Asian states, such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, access to global markets through its ports, Pakistan could help diversify their trade routes and strengthen its own economy.

At the SCO summit, Pakistan should focus on promoting cross-border infrastructure projects, expanding transport networks, and streamlining customs procedures to enhance connectivity. By doing so, Pakistan can contribute to creating an integrated regional economic zone, which would not only boost trade but also strengthen people-to-people links, cultural exchanges, and tourism among SCO member states.

Economic cooperation remains a key priority for the SCO. Pakistan’s active participation in advancing trade within the region is crucial. Over the past few years, Pakistan has consistently advocated for increased economic collaboration in agriculture, industry, and services among SCO member states. The summit presents an ideal opportunity to remove trade barriers, harmonize tariffs, and foster investment in energy, technology, and digital infrastructure. For instance, Pakistan’s agricultural sector holds tremendous potential for collaboration with Central Asian countries, which have a growing demand for agricultural products and could benefit from Pakistan’s expertise in farming technology.

Similarly, the SCO summit could serve as a platform for advancing cooperation in technology, especially in areas like digital transformation, cyber security, and e-commerce. As the world rapidly transitions toward a digital economy, SCO member states need to work together to build the necessary infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. Pakistan, with its burgeoning IT sector and thriving startup ecosystem, can play a pivotal role in driving this collaboration.

The energy sector also offers significant potential for collaboration among SCO members. The region’s vast energy resources, including Central Asia’s and Russia’s oil and gas reserves, present valuable opportunities for energy cooperation. Pakistan can use the SCO summit to secure long-term agreements with member states to meet its energy needs, similar to India’s strategy of acquiring affordable oil and gas. Projects like the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline and the Central Asia-South Asia power transmission project (CASA-1000) could see significant progress at the summit, strengthening regional partnerships and addressing the region’s energy demands. Furthermore, Pakistan’s involvement in these projects can ensure a sustainable energy future while promoting renewable energy initiatives like solar and wind power.

Addressing shared security challenges, such as terrorism, extremism, separatism, and organized crime, remains a core objective of the SCO. Pakistan has long been at the forefront of tackling these threats both domestically and regionally, and its efforts are vital to the stability of South Asia. The recent increase in terrorism within the country has underscored the importance of closer cooperation with China and other SCO member states. The SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) can play a critical role in coordinating efforts among member states to counter terrorism and extremism. At the summit, Pakistan should advocate for enhanced intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, and the strengthening of regional security frameworks to effectively address these common threats.

The situation in Afghanistan continues to pose security concerns for Pakistan and other SCO members. As a neighbouring country, Pakistan can play a pivotal role in promoting peace efforts in Afghanistan, and the SCO summit offers a valuable platform for discussions on this matter. SCO members should collaborate to develop strategies for ensuring peace, stability, and economic reconstruction in war-torn Afghanistan.

The SCO summit in Islamabad provides Pakistan with a unique opportunity to lead efforts toward enhancing regional connectivity, economic cooperation, and security. By working together with SCO member states, Pakistan can tackle shared challenges such as terrorism, economic crises, and energy shortages, while striving for a prosperous and secure future. Furthermore, the SCO’s emphasis on mutual trust, respect for sovereignty, and equitable cooperation aligns with Pakistan’s foreign policy goals. As a committed partner in the Belt and Road Initiative and regional development, Pakistan’s active role in the SCO is not only beneficial for its national interests but also for the broader goals of peace and prosperity in South and Central Asia. The upcoming summit represents a crucial opportunity to strengthen ties among member states, enhance regional connectivity, and foster economic growth, all of which are key to achieving a more secure, prosperous, and interconnected region.

(Patron in Chief, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association)