By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD -  Pakistan hosted the 12th Meeting of the Heads of Border Services of the Competent Authorities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States in Islamabad on Friday, bringing together senior border security officials from across the Eurasian bloc to discuss border management, counterterrorism cooperation and joint security operations.

According to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, the meeting was chaired by Pakistan and attended by heads and representatives of border services from Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, along with officials from the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).

Participants reviewed the security situation along the international borders of SCO member states, exchanging assessments on current challenges, emerging threats and future trends affecting regional border security.

The meeting approved the results of the Joint Border Operation "Solidarity-2025," a coordinated border security exercise conducted by SCO member states, and endorsed plans for the next edition, "Solidarity-2026."

Delegates also approved the 2027 work plan for the SCO Group of Experts on Border Services and backed Tajikistan's proposal to host the "Solidarity-2027" joint border operation.

In addition, participants discussed proposals concerning the venue and schedule for the next meeting of the SCO border chiefs.

According to the Foreign Ministry, delegates agreed that closer coordination and regular exchanges among border authorities would help address evolving security threats, strengthen border management and enhance mutual trust among member states.

The meeting concluded in what the ministry described as a "constructive and cordial atmosphere."

Founded in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a Eurasian political, economic and security grouping whose members include Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Security cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism, extremism, separatism and transnational crime, remains one of the organization's core objectives.

Pakistan has sought to use its SCO membership to deepen regional security cooperation, improve intelligence sharing and strengthen collaboration on border management with neighboring countries and other member states