rki.news
By Ahsan Ansari

The 26th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) concluded in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on September 1, 2026, marking an important milestone for Pakistan’s regional diplomacy. At the conclusion of the summit, Kyrgyzstan handed over the organisation’s annual chairmanship to Pakistan, and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif formally assumed the chairmanship of the SCO for 2026-27. For Pakistan, which became a full member of the organisation in 2017, this responsibility represents an important diplomatic opportunity and reflects its growing regional role.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Bishkek on August 31 and participated in the summit alongside the leaders of major regional countries. The gathering was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. The participation of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and other important personalities further demonstrated the international significance of the occasion.

The summit marked 25 years of the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and carried the theme, “25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity.” Discussions covered regional security, terrorism, economic cooperation, trade, energy, transport, climate change, artificial intelligence and the digital economy. Pakistan’s chairmanship theme, “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity,” reflects Islamabad’s intention to focus on practical cooperation rather than diplomatic declarations alone.

In his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presented Pakistan’s perspective on some of the most important regional challenges. One of the central issues was water. Describing water as the lifeblood of the region, he stressed that shared water resources must never be weaponised or used as an instrument of political coercion. He emphasised that international agreements concerning shared rivers are binding commitments and must be honoured in letter and spirit.

For Pakistan, the issue of water has profound economic and strategic importance. The Indus River system is closely linked with agriculture, food security, employment and national economic activity. Any disruption in water flows can therefore have serious consequences for millions of people. Pakistan’s position at the SCO was significant because the Prime Minister raised the issue through the principles of international law, treaty obligations, dialogue and peaceful dispute resolution rather than confrontation. Such an approach strengthens Pakistan’s image as a responsible regional state.

Security and terrorism were also prominent issues at the summit. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s enormous sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, noting that more than 90,000 Pakistanis have lost their lives during the country’s struggle over the past two and a half decades, while economic losses have exceeded $150 billion. These sacrifices demonstrate the heavy price Pakistan has paid for regional and international security.

Pakistan also reiterated its position on Afghanistan. Islamabad wants to see a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan and believes that peace in Afghanistan is essential for regional stability. At the same time, Afghan territory must not be allowed to be used for terrorist attacks against Pakistan or any other neighbouring country. Pakistan’s message at the SCO was therefore based on cooperation, security and the need for collective responsibility.

Regional connectivity remained another major priority of Pakistan’s chairmanship. Because of its geographical position at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East, Pakistan has the potential to serve as an important trade and economic bridge.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor provides a practical foundation for this vision, while Pakistani ports can offer Central Asian countries access to the Arabian Sea and international markets.

The development of roads, railways, energy projects and trade corridors can generate economic opportunities across the region. Enhanced connectivity can increase trade, attract investment and create employment. For Pakistan, successful implementation of such projects could strengthen its position as a regional economic hub. For Central Asian states, it could provide shorter and more efficient routes to global markets.

Another forward-looking element of Pakistan’s SCO agenda is artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif proposed cooperation on sovereign artificial intelligence infrastructure and governance to encourage responsible, inclusive and accessible technological development. Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming economies and societies, affecting education, healthcare, agriculture, industry, defence and governance.

By placing artificial intelligence on the regional agenda, Pakistan demonstrated that its SCO vision extends beyond traditional security concerns. Joint research, digital infrastructure, technical training and responsible artificial intelligence policies could create new opportunities for the region’s young population and contribute to innovation and economic growth.

Pakistan’s priorities also include energy cooperation, trade, poverty reduction, disaster management, healthcare, education, culture and people-to-people contacts. Sustainable peace cannot be achieved only through military security; it also requires economic opportunity and improved living standards. Cooperation in these fields can strengthen human development and help SCO members confront common challenges, including climate change and natural disasters.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also referred to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, signed on August 7, 2026. He clarified that the agreement was defensive in nature and was not directed against any state or intended to create confrontation. Pakistan’s broader diplomatic message remains that strong national defence can coexist with dialogue, peace and regional cooperation.

The Bishkek summit therefore provided Pakistan with an opportunity to present a comprehensive regional vision. Islamabad highlighted international law in the context of water, its sacrifices against terrorism, the need for peace in Afghanistan, regional connectivity, emerging technologies, economic cooperation and shared prosperity. This approach presents Pakistan not simply as a country facing regional challenges but as an active partner seeking practical solutions.

Pakistan has assumed the SCO chairmanship at a time of major geopolitical and economic change. Asia is becoming an increasingly important centre of global economic activity, while the international system is becoming more multipolar. Pakistan’s most effective strategy is therefore to maintain balanced relations with major powers, safeguard its national interests and promote cooperation with regional partners.

The next major stage will come in 2027, when Pakistan is scheduled to host the SCO Heads of State Summit in Islamabad. The arrival of regional and global leaders will provide an important opportunity to showcase Pakistan’s diplomatic capabilities, economic potential, tourism, culture and investment opportunities.

The Bishkek summit has opened a new chapter in Pakistan’s regional diplomacy. The real measure of its chairmanship, however, will be the practical results achieved during 2026-27. If Pakistan can advance connectivity, trade, energy, artificial intelligence, security cooperation and human development, its chairmanship can become a meaningful contribution to regional peace and prosperity.

From Bishkek to Islamabad, Pakistan now has an opportunity to turn diplomatic vision into practical action. Its message is clear: cooperation instead of confrontation, connectivity instead of isolation, and tangible progress instead of promises. If this vision is translated into concrete initiatives, Pakistan’s SCO chairmanship can become an important milestone in its growing regional and international role.