BISHKEK: Pakistan will assume the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State for 2027–2028, following the signing of the summit declaration in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
The declaration was signed during a ceremony held on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State summit. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the summit declaration on behalf of Pakistan, formally paving the way for Pakistan to take over the organization’s chairmanship for the 2027–2028 period.
Pakistan’s upcoming chairmanship is expected to provide Islamabad with an important platform to play a greater role in regional diplomacy and cooperation. The SCO brings together major countries from across Asia and focuses on areas including regional security, economic cooperation, connectivity, trade and cultural exchanges.
The chairmanship will also give Pakistan an opportunity to highlight its priorities regarding regional connectivity and economic integration. Islamabad has repeatedly emphasized the importance of stronger links between South Asia, Central Asia and other SCO member states.
The development comes as Pakistan continues to strengthen diplomatic and economic engagement with Central Asian countries. Cooperation in trade, transportation, energy and regional connectivity remains an important part of Pakistan’s foreign-policy agenda.
Ishaq Dar Holds Meeting With Uzbek Counterpart
Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a meeting with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting.
According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the two foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the growing partnership between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
During the meeting, Dar and Saidov discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. Both sides expressed their desire to consolidate bilateral relations and expand collaboration between the two countries.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan have been seeking to deepen their economic and diplomatic ties, particularly through greater trade and regional connectivity. Improved transportation links between Pakistan and Central Asia could provide Uzbekistan and other landlocked Central Asian states with additional access to international markets through Pakistani ports.
The meeting between the two foreign ministers therefore carried particular significance in the broader context of Pakistan’s engagement with Central Asia.
Pakistan’s forthcoming SCO chairmanship is likely to further increase Islamabad’s diplomatic engagement with member states, including Uzbekistan. It could also provide opportunities to advance discussions on trade, connectivity, investment, security cooperation and people-to-people contacts.
The signing of the declaration marks an important step for Pakistan as it prepares to assume a larger leadership role within the regional organization. During its chairmanship, Islamabad will have the opportunity to shape discussions on issues of common interest among SCO member states and promote greater regional cooperation.
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