By Manahil Jaffer

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit of 2024, held in Astana, marked another significant milestone in fostering regional cooperation and addressing contemporary geopolitical challenges. As one of the key members, Pakistan's stance and strategic maneuvers at the summit garnered attention, reflecting its evolving foreign policy and aspirations within the regional bloc. This article delves into Pakistan's participation in the summit, its stance on various issues, and how it can leverage the SCO platform to enhance its geopolitical and economic standing.
The SCO, established in 2001, is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan. The 2024 summit brought together these member states to discuss pressing issues such as security cooperation, economic integration, counterterrorism, and regional stability. With the theme "Together for a Secure and Prosperous Region," the summit underscored the importance of collective efforts to address shared challenges.

Pakistan's Stance at the Summit

Pakistan, a full member of the SCO since 2017, approached the 2024 summit with a focus on several key issues:
Regional Security and Stability - Pakistan emphasized the importance of collective security mechanisms to address regional threats. It highlighted the need for joint efforts in combating terrorism, extremism, and separatism, which are pivotal to ensuring regional stability. Pakistan reiterated its commitment to the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) and called for enhanced intelligence sharing and joint military exercises.
Economic Cooperation and Connectivity - Pakistan advocated for greater economic integration among SCO members, stressing the need to enhance trade and investment flows. It emphasized the significance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a flagship project under China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which can catalyze regional connectivity and economic development.
Afghanistan's Stability - Given its geographic proximity and historical ties, Pakistan underscored the importance of a stable and peaceful Afghanistan for regional security. Pakistan called for a coordinated approach among SCO members to support the Afghan peace process and ensure that the country does not become a haven for terrorist groups.

Climate Change and Environmental Issues - Recognizing the growing impact of climate change, Pakistan highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to address environmental challenges. It proposed joint initiatives on water management, disaster response, and sustainable development to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change in the region.

Strategic Opportunities for Pakistan

The SCO provides Pakistan with several strategic opportunities to enhance its regional and global standing. The SCO framework offers a platform for Pakistan to deepen its economic ties with member states, particularly China and Russia. By leveraging its strategic location and the CPEC, Pakistan can position itself as a hub for trade and transit, facilitating greater economic integration within the region. Enhanced economic cooperation can lead to increased foreign investment, job creation, and infrastructure development, boosting Pakistan's economic growth. Pakistan can benefit from the SCO's focus on regional security by participating in joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and counterterrorism initiatives. This collaboration can enhance Pakistan's capabilities in addressing internal security challenges and contribute to regional stability. During his recent participation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the critical issue of terrorism, identifying it as a major concern for all member states. He called for collective efforts to address the challenges posed by militancy. Sharif's speech at the SCO summit underscored the urgency with which Pakistan views the threat of terrorism and its aspiration for regional countries to take a more proactive role in combating this issue. Pakistan has been grappling with terrorism for a long time, with militant groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) launching attacks against the country’s security forces.

Moreover, Pakistan's active role in the SCO's RATS can help combat transnational threats, including terrorism and drug trafficking. The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is a permanent organ of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) aimed at enhancing cooperation among member states in combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Established in 2004, RATS is headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The SCO's emphasis on connectivity aligns with Pakistan's vision of becoming a regional connectivity hub. By participating in SCO-led infrastructure projects and transport corridors, Pakistan can enhance its connectivity with Central Asia and beyond. Improved connectivity can facilitate trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, fostering greater regional integration.

The SCO summit provides a platform for Pakistan to engage in diplomatic dialogues with member states, addressing bilateral and multilateral issues. By actively participating in SCO meetings and initiatives, Pakistan can enhance its diplomatic presence and influence in the region. Additionally, cultural exchanges and people-to-people interactions through SCO forums can strengthen Pakistan's soft power and foster mutual understanding. The SCO's multilateral framework allows Pakistan to engage with major powers like China and Russia on regional and global issues. By aligning its policies with SCO priorities, Pakistan can amplify its voice in international forums and advocate for its interests. This multilateral engagement can also provide Pakistan with opportunities to diversify its foreign policy and reduce dependence on any single country or bloc. Pakistan can collaborate with SCO member states on environmental initiatives, sharing best practices and technologies to address climate change and environmental degradation. Joint efforts in areas such as water management, renewable energy, and disaster response can enhance Pakistan's resilience to climate-related challenges and contribute to sustainable development.
The 2024 SCO summit highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in addressing contemporary challenges and fostering economic development. Pakistan's active participation and strategic stance at the summit underscore its commitment to regional stability and economic integration. By leveraging the opportunities provided by the SCO, Pakistan can enhance its geopolitical and economic standing, strengthen security cooperation, and promote regional connectivity. As the SCO continues to evolve, Pakistan's proactive engagement and strategic initiatives within the organization will be crucial in shaping its future trajectory and achieving its national objectives.