Pakistan’s Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar highlighted the importance of the upcoming SCO summit as a platform to enhance regional cooperation, trade, and financial integrity. He expressed confidence that the summit would bolster Pakistan’s international image, address terrorism, and tackle climate change. Tarar also called for resolving the Palestinian issue and underscored Pakistan’s economic improvements, emphasizing the necessity of a digital economy and regional integration.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture, Attaullah Tarar, has articulated that the forthcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit serves as an essential platform aimed at fostering regional cooperation, enhancing trade, and promoting financial integrity among member states. During a media workshop organized by the China Media Group in anticipation of the summit, Tarar expressed optimism that the event would significantly bolster Pakistan’s international image and future prospects, especially in light of recent positive developments within the national economy. Tarar emphasized the significance of the SCO as a pivotal forum for regional collaboration, expressing pride in Pakistan’s role as the host of the summit. He remarked that the meeting would also tackle critical issues such as counter-terrorism strategies and regional security. Citing the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, he mentioned, “Over 80,000 Pakistani citizens were martyred in the anti-terrorism war, which was meant to make the world a safer place.” He underscored the hope that enhanced regional cooperation in combating terrorism would contribute to lasting peace in the area. Moreover, Tarar highlighted the urgent need for collective action on climate change, noting Pakistan’s extreme vulnerability to its adverse effects, despite contributing less than one percent to global toxic gas emissions. He stated, “We have to bear the brunt of climate change’s damage in the form of floods and cyclones,” emphasizing the necessity for regional collaboration to address such challenges. Additionally, the minister called attention to the importance of establishing long-term peace in the Middle East, advocating for the resolution of the Palestinian issue. He affirmed, “In the Astana SCO summit, we highlighted the issue of Palestine, and it is important to discuss the issue of Palestine in this meeting of the SCO.” Tarar condemned the ongoing violence and war crimes in Palestine, urging for a ceasefire and the need for a collective global response to achieve stability in the region. Tarar expressed optimism regarding Pakistan’s economic prospects, citing improving indicators such as rising remittances and information technology (IT) exports. He stated, “Economic indicators of Pakistan are improving, and hosting the SCO summit at this point will prove beneficial for Pakistan.” He noted that recent remittances totaled $8.8 billion and that IT exports reached $3.8 billion in the last quarter. He emphasized the critical role of the digital economy in Pakistan, particularly given that 68% of the population is comprised of youth, many of whom are engaged in freelancing. Furthermore, the minister acknowledged the support from countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, instrumental in finalizing an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He attributed the recent decrease in interest rates and increase in investment to the government’s economic measures, asserting, “Thanks to the economic measures taken by the government, the interest rate has decreased, and investment has increased.” Tarar called for enhanced financial integration and economic cooperation among SCO member states, positing that Pakistan’s strategic location could enable it to emerge as a regional trade hub. He advocated for heightened cultural exchanges and increased people-to-people contacts among member nations, concluding that “with more cooperation among the member states of the SCO, the people of the region could be taken to prosperity.”
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a multi-national political, economic, and security alliance that includes Member States from Asia and beyond. Pakistan’s active participation highlights its intent to strengthen regional ties through enhanced trade, economic connectivity, and collective responses to security threats such as terrorism and climate change. The upcoming SCO summit presents an opportunity for Pakistan to showcase its progress and promote its strategic initiatives while addressing regional challenges.
In summary, the forthcoming SCO summit is poised to be a critical juncture for Pakistan as it seeks to enhance regional cooperation and trade while addressing pressing issues such as counter-terrorism and climate change. Minister Attaullah Tarar’s insights underscore the importance of collective action among member states to achieve economic stability and foster a prosperous future. Pakistan’s proactive approach to hosting the summit reflects its commitment to improved international relations and regional security.
Original Source: www.dailynewsegypt.com
