Pakistan has achieved a significant diplomatic success at the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of State Council Summit held in China, where member states strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks on the Jaffar Express and Khuzdar.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emerged as a central figure at the summit, highlighting Pakistan’s sacrifices and stance against terrorism while calling for regional peace, stability, and mutual cooperation.
Joint Declaration Highlights
The SCO joint communiqué emphasized the following:
- Global shift towards a multipolar, fair, and representative world order.
- Strong condemnation of terrorist attacks in Pakistan (Khuzdar, Jaffar Express, and Pahalgam).
- Reaffirmation of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference as core principles.
- Demand for immediate ceasefire in Palestine and provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
- Condemnation of Israeli aggression against Iran in June 2025, terming it a violation of Iranian sovereignty.
- Approval of the SCO Development Strategy 2035 focusing on multilateral cooperation.
- Agreements to strengthen collaboration against terrorism, separatism, extremism, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and border security challenges.
PM Shehbaz’s Address
In his address, PM Shehbaz Sharif:
- Rejected the use of terrorism as a political tool by certain states.
- Stated Pakistan has evidence of foreign involvement in terror attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Called for stronger unity among SCO states against extremism and terrorism.
- Reiterated Pakistan’s respect for all international treaties and its commitment to peace with neighbors.
- Highlighted CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) as a flagship project of Pakistan-China cooperation.
- Strongly condemned Israeli aggression in Iran and atrocities in Gaza, reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for a two-state solution in Palestine.
Pakistan’s Diplomatic Breakthrough
The explicit condemnation of terrorist attacks in Pakistan by SCO member states is being regarded as a historic diplomatic achievement for Islamabad. It reflects growing international recognition of Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terrorism and support for its narrative on global platforms.
Observers note that this marks a loss of credibility for India, while Pakistan’s positive image and diplomatic standing have significantly strengthened at the global stage.
