ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi Friday highlighted the importance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a vital platform to achieve the objectives of peace, security, and stability across Eurasia.
He underscored the need for upholding peace in an increasingly tense international environment,  a foreign office statement issued here said.
The Foreign Minister stated this while participating in the restricted and extended sessions of the 17th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Member States of SCO in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on the invitation of Prime Minister of Tajikistan Qohir Rasulzoda.
The Foreign Minister conveyed greetings of Prime Minister Imran Khans to all leaders participating in the meeting. He emphasized on cooperation among (SCO) countries in the field of multilateral trade and removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers.
He also supported the initiative of the establishment of SCO development bank and development fund.
While speaking about economic development through regional connectivity, the Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
In the context of SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), the Foreign Minister pointed out Pakistan’s commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. He offered to SCO member states the sharing of expertise gained in fighting terrorism.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi also expressed Pakistan’s full support for peace and stability in Afghanistan and assured full cooperation for SCO’s initiative in this regard.
He also held important meetings on the sidelines of the summit.  This was the second CHG meeting attended by Pakistan after becoming a full member of SCO in June last year.
Prime Ministers of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Foreign Minister of India also attended the meeting.
The Council of the Heads of the Government exchanged views on the emerging economic situation in the region and beyond and held in-depth discussions on economic integration, regional connectivity and peace, and security.