ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to highlight Pakistan’s commitment to multilateral cooperation, regional stability, and sustainable development during the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China.
According to a statement from the Foreign Office (FO) on Saturday, the premier is leading a delegation from Pakistan to participate in the SCO’s Council of Heads of State (CHS) summit from August 31 to September 1.
“The SCO CHS Summit will bring together heads of state and government from SCO member states, including Pakistan, Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan,” the statement read.
Leaders from Mongolia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkiye, Egypt, the Maldives, Myanmar and others, as well as the chief of the United Nations and heads of various regional and international organisations, will also attend as part of the expanded format.
“At the SCO CHS Summit, Prime Minister Sharif will present Pakistan’s perspectives on pressing regional and global issues, highlighting strategies to strengthen the SCO’s role in fostering regional cooperation and stability,” the FO stated.
It added the SCO CHS, as the Organization’s highest decision-making body, provides strategic, political, and security guidance, adopting declarations, statements, and key decisions that shape the SCO’s agenda. The SCO CHS Plus, a themed Summit, fosters broader dialogue with invited leaders, focusing on critical regional and global priorities.
“During the CHS Plus meeting, Prime Minister Sharif will reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to promoting multilateralism, enhancing regional security, and advancing sustainable development,” it noted.
It added that on the sidelines of the Summits, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with heads of state and government from SCO member States and other invited leaders to strengthen diplomatic relations.
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Curtain Raiser: Prime Minister’s Visit to Tianjin, China: August 31-September 1,2025.https://t.co/tEqcjBjwtG
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/9o6APtUYjf— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 30, 2025
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Beijing on a six-day official visit. The Prime Minister, leading a high-level delegation of ministers, advisers, and senior officials, was received at Beijing Capital Airport by senior Chinese government representatives.
His visit comes at a crucial moment when Pakistan is seeking to expand exports, attract investment, and fast-track projects under the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
“This visit will be an important milestone in reinforcing our all-weather friendship with China and opening new avenues of cooperation,” a senior Foreign Office official told journalists. “The Prime Minister will focus on trade facilitation, investment opportunities, and stronger connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative.”
Economic priorities at SCO
During the SCO summit, Shehbaz is expected to emphasise Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and connectivity, while also seeking stronger cooperation in energy, digital economy, and cross-border trade. Officials say Pakistan will push for easier market access for its agricultural and textile exports, which remain the backbone of the economy.
President Xi Jinping will host the summit, which will also be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Central Asian leaders. The gathering is expected to highlight a rival front to Western-led blocs by focusing on regional economic and security frameworks.
Business sector optimism
Traders and exporters in Pakistan expressed optimism about the Prime Minister’s visit.
“China is already our single largest trading partner, but the trade balance is skewed. We hope this visit will lead to concessions that allow Pakistani goods to penetrate deeper into Chinese markets,” said Ghulam Murtaza, a Karachi-based textile exporter.
Pakistan’s exports to China currently stand at around $2.4 billion annually, compared to imports worth over $18 billion, creating a trade gap of more than $15 billion. Exporters argue that better access could significantly boost Pakistan’s foreign exchange earnings.
“We want to see Pakistani fruits, rice, seafood, and textile products make greater inroads into China. Even a 10 per cent increase in our exports would mean an additional $250 million to $300 million a year,” said Waheed Ahmed, patron-in-chief of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association.
Strengthening CPEC and investment flows
Beyond trade, the Prime Minister is expected to review progress on CPEC projects and invite fresh Chinese investments in renewable energy, mining, IT, and infrastructure. Officials said that at least a dozen agreements and MoUs are on the table, including cooperation in agriculture modernisation and digital technology.
“Pakistan needs investment more than aid, and China is the most reliable partner for our development vision,” said Commerce Minister Jam Kamal, who is accompanying the delegation. “We are hopeful that the new phase of CPEC will bring in another $10–12 billion worth of projects over the next five years.”
National confidence
The business community and officials alike underscored that Pakistan’s participation in the SCO and deepening engagement with China would reinforce the country’s strategic importance in Eurasia.
“This is a pro-Pakistan moment. We are entering the summit with confidence that Pakistan’s voice for regional trade, connectivity, and stability will be heard,” a senior government official remarked while talking to WE News.
The Prime Minister’s visit, his first official trip to Beijing since assuming office earlier this year, is expected to strengthen the foundations of Pakistan’s partnership with China at a time when the global order is in flux.
