Tianjin– Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday addressed the Council of Heads of State meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), where he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to diplomacy, multilateralism, and regional peace while warning against the dangers of external aggression and terrorism.
The Prime Minister emphasized that “nothing is more important than respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states,” adding that any violation of these principles threatens international peace and order. He said Pakistan itself had faced “an unwarranted act of external aggression” earlier this year from a state that has repeatedly undermined the sovereignty of its neighbors. The attack, he noted, was launched on a false pretext without evidence, leading to the tragic loss of innocent civilians, including women and children.
Sharif cautioned that such reckless actions had endangered the entire region, bringing it “to the brink of nuclear confrontation.” He added that the flames of Indian adventurism risked engulfing South Asia in conflict. Citing recent events in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he said India displayed “irresponsible behavior” with the clear intent of destabilizing regional peace. “The world witnessed the firm resolve of our people and our armed forces,” he said, stressing that under the leadership of Army Chief General Asim Munir, Pakistan responded to provocations with professionalism and restraint.
The Prime Minister also condemned the “weaponization of water,” calling it an attack on Pakistan’s lifeline, and reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to the UN Charter and the principles of the SCO.
On counterterrorism, Sharif declared that the world no longer accepts terrorism as a political tool. He categorically condemned the menace in all its forms and manifestations, while rejecting false narratives advanced by certain states for political purposes. He highlighted credible evidence of foreign involvement in terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stressing that perpetrators and their facilitators must be held accountable.
Recalling Pakistan’s sacrifices, Sharif reminded the summit that the country had lost 90,000 lives in the fight against terrorism. He urged the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure to adopt more effective and collective strategies to confront terrorism, separatism, and extremism — threats that continue to destabilize the region.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that Pakistan will remain a responsible partner in promoting peace and stability, stressing that dialogue and cooperation are the only viable paths toward sustainable development in the SCO region.
