Islamabad, September 12, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced that Pakistan will host the next Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, directing authorities to begin preparations immediately.
The announcement comes less than two weeks after the SCO summit in Tianjin, China, where Pakistan raised the issue of the Indus Waters Treaty and joined member states in condemning recent attacks on the Jaffar Express, Khuzdar, and Pahalgam.
Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad, the prime minister underscored the need for early preparations to welcome international dignitaries. “We have to start preparing now. We need to build accommodation and beautify Islamabad,” he said, adding that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) was already working to plant saplings gifted by Tajikistan.
While the exact date for the summit was not announced, this will mark Pakistan’s first time hosting the SCO leaders’ meeting since 2024, when Islamabad organized the Council of Heads of Government Summit under tight security.
T-Chowk flyover
The prime minister made the announcement while laying the foundation stone of the T-Chowk flyover, a one-kilometre project designed to ease traffic congestion between Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Calling the project a “milestone for traffic,” PM Shehbaz praised the efforts of the interior minister and the CDA, emphasizing that “there must be no compromise on quality” and that the work must be completed within strict timelines.
He also revealed that the Railways Ministry and Interior Ministry were working on a new railcar service to link Islamabad and Rawalpindi, complementing existing metro, bus, and electric vehicle services.
“Once we get the railcar going and set up a track, this project can greatly benefit the citizens of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as well as commuters from surrounding areas,” the PM said, assuring full federal support for the initiative.
