Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan emphasized the importance of addressing terrorism and engaging with the Afghan government during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.

In his address to the summit, PM Shehbaz stressed that “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism, must be condemned in clear and unambiguous terms.”

He stated that there was “no justification for killing innocent people or using the bogey of terrorism for political point-scoring.”

The Prime Minister also called for the international community to “meaningfully engage with the Afghan government to meet their genuine economic and development needs.”

He said that achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan is crucial for the region’s economic development.

PM Shehbaz also advocated for promoting the use of national currencies for mutual settlements within the SCO region to avoid global financial shocks.

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He suggested that alternative funding mechanisms could give impetus to various development projects in the SCO countries.

Highlighting Pakistan’s role in regional trade connectivity, the Prime Minister said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) supplemented the SCO’s vision of regional connectivity and economic interaction. He described Pakistan’s location as an “ideal trade conduit” for the region.

In a separate meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, PM Shehbaz proposed renewing and expanding trade between the two countries under a barter system to overcome financial and banking issues.

The summit in Astana brought together leaders and diplomats from SCO member states, including China, India, Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan, to discuss economic and security cooperation in the region.