Water cannot be weaponised, Shehbaz tells SCO

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned that water must not be used as a tool of political pressure or coercion, stressing that agreements governing shared water resources must be respected.

Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Tuesday, the prime minister described water as the “lifeblood” of the region.

He said shared water resources were too important to be turned into instruments of political leverage.

According to the premier, international agreements governing transboundary waters were binding commitments and should be implemented in both letter and spirit.

Pakistan, he said, remained committed to peaceful dispute resolution, international law and the principles outlined in the charters of the United Nations and the SCO.

Shehbaz said the SCO had an important role in helping member states address regional challenges and work collectively for peace, stability and economic prosperity.

Pakistan highlights peace efforts

The prime minister said Pakistan had consistently advocated peace whenever regional stability was threatened.

He said a recent crisis had disrupted important energy supply routes and created economic difficulties for countries around the world, including Pakistan.

Shehbaz said Islamabad had played the role of a sincere mediator and facilitator. He added that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts had resulted in the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

He called the agreement an important development toward reducing tensions and restoring lasting peace in the region.

The premier also thanked countries that supported Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives.

Mecca defence agreement described as defensive

Speaking about Pakistan’s recently signed Trilateral Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, Shehbaz said the pact was defensive in nature.

He stressed that the agreement was not aimed at any particular country and was not intended to create confrontation or division.

Shehbaz calls for stronger support for Palestinians

Turning to the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, the prime minister expressed concern over the continuing suffering of Palestinians.

He said the international community must fulfil its responsibility toward the Palestinian people and support their fundamental right to self-determination.

Pakistan highlights sacrifices against terrorism

Shehbaz also described terrorism as one of the biggest threats facing the region.

He said Pakistan had played an active role in strengthening cooperation against terrorism while serving as chair of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure.

The prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, saying the country had lost more than 90,000 lives and suffered economic losses exceeding $150 billion over more than two decades.

He said these sacrifices were made not only for Pakistan but also for greater regional and international security.

PM urges Afghanistan to prevent militant activity

On Afghanistan, Shehbaz said Pakistan wanted to see a peaceful, stable and prosperous neighbouring country.

However, he warned that lasting regional peace would remain difficult if militant groups continued using Afghan territory to carry out attacks against Pakistan and other countries.

He called for concrete action to prevent Afghan territory from being used for terrorism.

Pakistan unveils SCO priorities

Shehbaz said the SCO represented a region of more than three billion people and possessed vast natural resources.

He stressed that regional connectivity was no longer simply an option but had become a strategic necessity.

The prime minister called for stronger transport networks, reliable energy corridors and resilient supply chains to boost regional trade and economic cooperation.

He also backed implementation of the SCO Development Strategy through 2035 and described the proposed SCO Development Bank as an important step toward achieving the bloc’s development goals.

As Pakistan takes over the SCO chairmanship, Shehbaz announced plans focusing on information technology, artificial intelligence, energy, poverty reduction, disaster management, healthcare, culture and sports.

Pakistan has also proposed an SCO-wide sovereign AI infrastructure and governance framework aimed at promoting responsible and inclusive artificial intelligence development.

Shehbaz said Pakistan would lead the organisation under the theme “Turning Vision into Action, Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity.”