Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani left for a two-day visit to the Russian city of St Petersburg to represent Pakistan at the 10th Heads of Government meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Sunday. The prime minister told reporters at Chaklala airbase prior to his departure that the SCO was an extremely important forum and the meeting would focus on security and economic issues. He said the SCO countries would hold discussions on regional infrastructure, connectivity, energy projects and various other areas of mutual interest.
Gilani will meet the prime ministers of Russia and China on the sidelines of the SCO meeting, which will take place on November 7.
Gilani is attending the summit on the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. He said he would be meeting the Russian premier for the third time and gas imports and issues related to Pakistan Steel Mills would come under discussion. To a question, Gilani said trade was an important component of regional cooperation. He said Pakistan had already signed a transit trade agreement with Afghanistan and was looking for ways to expand commerce with Central Asian states. The focus would remain on bolstering trade with immediate neighbours of Pakistan, he added.
Gilani will present Pakistan’s case at the SCO forum and will seek full membership of the organisation. Pakistan wants to become a full member of this forum on account of its immense potential for dealing with common regional challenges. The SCO, founded in Shanghai in June 2001, groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Pakistan holds observer status along with Mongolia, India and Iran, whereas Sri Lanka and Belarus have been granted the status of dialogue partners. The upcoming session is aimed at highlighting the importance of coordination among the member states on issues of resolving economic crises and developing trade and diplomatic ties along with other observer states and regional partners.
