Islamabad, October 15,2024-Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif met separately with the leaders of Tajikistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan on Tuesday during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Government meeting. The discussions focused on strengthening trade, investment, energy cooperation, and regional connectivity.
In a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, Shahbaz Sharif commended Tajik Prime Minister Qahir Rasulzoda for Tajikistan’s constructive participation in the SCO Council of Heads of Government’s annual meeting. He highlighted the enduring friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and Tajikistan, stressing the need to enhance collaboration in various sectors, particularly trade, investment, energy, and regional links. Rasulzoda conveyed good wishes from Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, expressing Tajikistan’s commitment to collaborating with Pakistan to fully utilize their cooperative potential.
During his meeting with Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, Shahbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral relations, especially in trade, investment, agricultural machinery, and joint tractor manufacturing. He congratulated Belarus on becoming a full SCO member and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promoting the “Shanghai Spirit.” Golovchenko expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and a desire to strengthen cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.
The Prime Minister also met with Akylbek Japarov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan. Shahbaz Sharif noted the longstanding fraternal ties between the two countries and expressed his satisfaction with the enhancement of bilateral relations. He highlighted the need for increased cooperation in trade, investment, and people-to-people connections.
In discussions with Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Shahbaz Sharif stressed the importance of fully utilizing bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, energy, and regional connectivity. He emphasized the historical and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Turkmenistan and called for increasing high-level exchanges between the two countries.
Lastly, during a meeting with Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Beketayev, Shahbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to working with all SCO member states to advance the organization’s principles and objectives. He underscored the necessity of boosting trade and investment between the two nations while enhancing regional connectivity and security. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for regular and high-level communications through institutional mechanisms for bilateral partnerships, including the prompt convening of joint working group meetings on agriculture and trade.
Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s firm commitment to collaborating with Pakistan as a significant trade partner in South Asia to enhance regional connectivity, trade, and development. The visiting leaders congratulated Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on the successful hosting of the SCO Heads of Government meeting, thanking him for the warm welcome, excellent arrangements, and exceptional hospitality extended to the delegations.
