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Islamabad: By Dr. Abdul Rehman Usama

Pakistan is making preparations to host the high-level Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit in Islamabad in 2027. In this regard, Pakistan’s National Coordinator for SCO Affairs, veteran diplomat Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Faisal, convened a meeting with ambassadors of member countries at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on August 19, 2025, to discuss matters related to the summit.

The meeting was attended by ambassadors and chargés d’affaires of SCO member states accredited to Pakistan, along with senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Hasan Ali Zaigham, Head of the Central Asia Desk at the Foreign Office, was also present on behalf of the ministry.

Among those who attended were Ambassador Albert P. Khorev of Russia, Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam of Iran, Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin of Kazakhstan, Ambassador Andrei Ermolovich of Belarus, and Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev of Uzbekistan.

The missions of China, India, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were represented by their respective chargés d’affaires. These included Zhao Lijian, Chargé d’Affaires of China; Dr. Satesh Kumar Pandey, Chargé d’Affaires of India; Ulanbek Totuiaev, Chargé d’Affaires of Kyrgyzstan; and Sharifzoda Yusuf Toir, Chargé d’Affaires of Tajikistan.

The meeting held detailed discussions on organizational and administrative matters related to Pakistan’s SCO chairmanship in 2027. Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Faisal briefed participants on the roadmap for the Heads of State Summit and sought their cooperation for its successful conduct.

Pakistan previously hosted the 23rd SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in October 2024.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that invitations for the 2027 Heads of State Summit will be extended to all member states, including India, in accordance with SCO procedures. The level of representation will be decided by respective governments closer to the summit.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that Pakistan will utilize the SCO platform to promote regional connectivity, trade corridors, and joint strategies for counter-terrorism. In this context, urban development, road expansion and beautification projects in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been accelerated in anticipation of visiting dignitaries.

The 2027 Heads of State Summit will be the most significant event of Pakistan’s SCO chairmanship, bringing together the leaders of the organization’s 10 member states to determine the political and strategic direction of the SCO for the coming years.