ISLAMABAD (Khyber Mail): The 23rd Council of Heads of Government (CHG) Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) concluded in Islamabad on Wednesday, marking a key step toward enhanced collaboration among member states.
During the closing session, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif formally handed over the chairmanship of the CHG to Russia. He extended his congratulations to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and confirmed that the next SCO CHG meeting would take place in Russia in 2025. “This council congratulates Prime Minister Mishustin and expresses its readiness to fully support the Russian chair,” Sharif said.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the shared objectives of the SCO, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing cooperation over political differences. “Let us build on our achievements, address shared challenges, and ensure that the SCO remains a beacon of stability, development, and mutual benefits for our peoples,” he stated.
Addressing global concerns, Sharif condemned Israeli actions in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire and advocating for the establishment of a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds as its capital.
The summit concluded with the signing of key documents, including a joint declaration and decisions focused on enhancing economic and trade cooperation, as well as improving the efficiency of SCO’s permanent bodies. Prime Minister Sharif also expressed gratitude to the SCO Secretariat staff and national coordinators for their work in finalizing the summit’s documents.