ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday emphasized the need to condemn terrorism in “clear and unambiguous terms” and stressed the importance of vigorously combating terrorism and extremism in all their forms rather than using these issues for diplomatic point-scoring.
During his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) virtual summit, hosted by India, Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted the shared interest of SCO member states in ensuring peace and stability, which he deemed essential for economic development worldwide. The summit also saw the participation of Russia and China, among other countries.
Shehbaz stated, “There can be no justification for the killing of innocent people regardless of the cause or pretext,” and emphasized that terrorism, including state terrorism, must be unequivocally condemned. He further called for the avoidance of demonizing religious minorities for domestic political agendas.
Although the prime minister did not refer to specific instances in his speech, his remarks come in the context of concerns raised by activists regarding persecution and hate speech against religious minorities, particularly Muslims, in India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Shehbaz acknowledged Pakistan’s unparalleled sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, but also highlighted the ongoing challenges in the region. He called upon SCO member states to take immediate and concerted actions, both individually and collectively, to combat the three evils of terrorism, extremism, and separatism. The achievement of lasting peace in the region, he emphasized, is a shared concern and responsibility of all SCO leaders.
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Furthermore, Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized the significance of stability in Afghanistan for achieving this common objective. He called for meaningful engagement with the interim Afghan government and urged the international community to provide the necessary support to prevent a humanitarian crisis, and economic collapse and combat terrorism in Afghanistan.
Pakistan Underscores Importance of Guaranteeing Fundamental Rights
Addressing the need for sustainable peace, the prime minister underscored the importance of guaranteeing fundamental rights and freedoms for all, including those “under occupation.” He stressed the SCO’s role in opposing divisive policies based on prejudice and discrimination and emphasized the adherence to UN principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the people’s right to self-determination.
Prime Minister Shehbaz described the SCO meeting as crucial, given the significant developments in the socio-economic and security spheres. He highlighted the relevance of the Shanghai Spirit’s fundamental values and praised connectivity as a vehicle for peace and prosperity. Referring to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he stated that it could be a game-changer for regional connectivity and prosperity, positioning Pakistan as a natural bridge connecting various regions.
The summit also saw Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging SCO leaders to unite against terrorism, condemn nations supporting terrorism, and work for the welfare of Afghanistan. He emphasized the need to prevent the destabilization of Afghanistan’s neighborhood and urged humanitarian aid for Kabul.
