Pakistan called upon the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to build a plan to save future generations from the devastating effects of climate change. Islamabad “being the latest victim” is trying to reel from its effects as floods driven by heavy rains have killed more than 1,500 people.

“This is the time to act and act now,” PM Shehbaz said as he concluded his speech at the heads of state of the SCO summit being held in the historic city of Samarkand on Friday. The premier’s address centred around neighbouring Afghanistan, terrorism, SCO connectivity, and floods.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were also in attendance.

PM Shehbaz had a meeting with the Chinese president ahead of the SCO summit today (Friday).

Premier Shehbaz arrived in the historic city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan on a two-day visit on Thursday. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif are among the officials part of the Pakistani delegation.

The prime minister attended the close-format CHS meeting at the Congress Centre where participants were welcomed by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Focus on Afghanistan

The prime minister said Pakistan was firm in collective dedication to fight the menace of extremism, separatism and terrorism.

In fight against terrorism, he said, thousands of Pakistani civilians and armed forces laid down their lives for the security of their homeland.

As the neighbouring country of Afghanistan, he said, Pakistan valued peace, progress and shared development of the country important for the region.

“We have to work together to support all good initiatives in Afghanistan for the good of the people of Afghanistan in areas, particularly education, health and human rights,” he said.

“It will be a big mistake if we ignore Afghanistan this time,” he said while stressing the need for joint efforts to support the country now led by the Taliban.

He emphasised that strengthening Afghanistan as vital in view the stability of the region besides achieving the goals of the SCO.

He urged the SCO community to work towards unfreezing the assets of Afghanistan, and ensuring respect for human rights especially women and minorities.

The prime minister congratulated the Iranian president on the attainment of full membership of his country to the platform of SCO.

PM Shehbaz would also visit the mausoleum of Hazrat Imam Bokhari to pay his respects at the conclusion of his visit.

Action plan against climate change

PM Shehbaz called upon the SCO member states to come up with Pakistan-specific programmes on climate change as the country faced devastating impact of the global natural phenomenon.

“This climatic injustice has befallen us despite the fact that our carbon emission is less than one percent,” the prime minister said.

He mentioned that Pakistan was braving the disaster of floods, where hill torrents and massive rains killed more than 1,400 people including 400 children while million of houses were damaged partially or completely.

“I earnestly appeal to all of you that let the SCO stand up and take steps against this devastation through sustainable programmes,” PM Shehbaz said.

He said the country never faced such level of climate-induced catastrophe in its history that inflicted disaster upon human lives, infrastructure, livestock and crops. He stressed the need for assistance to help Pakistan overcome the problems in the wake of floods, including relief, rehabilitation and control of water-borne diseases.

“In view of the massive disaster, I would be very honest to urge this forum to extend assistance to Pakistan and chalk out plans regarding climate change for our future generations,” he said.

PM Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm and unwavering commitment to achieving the goals of the SCO.

He expressed Pakistan’s commitment to join the SCO states in implementation of robust connectivity plans among the neighbouring regional countries.

“It will be a win-win outcome for all the member states. This is the time to act, and act now,” he stressed.