Shanghai Cooperation Organisation holds an interest for Pakistan for a number of reasons. So does Pakistan for the SCO. All countries bordering Afghanistan which include Pakistan and five out of six SCO members are concerned about the post-2014 scenario in that country. While the departure of the US and Nato troops is a source of satisfaction to the SCO states, they fear the further spread of the activities of Al-Qaeda and Taliban in the wake of the allied troops withdrawal. Pakistan being in the forefront of the fight against terrorism is seen as a potentially important ally. Pakistan which has been under pressure from the US is looking for new and strong allies to provide it political and economic space to manoeuvre.
With Russia showing willingness for the first time to support Pakistan’s membership of the SCO, a major hurdle has been removed. It might however take time to formally join the club. It would be difficult for Russia and China to grant membership to Pakistan while ignoring India which is still weighing options of going all the hog with the US and Nato or join the SCO. There are also fears of the new entrants bringing in their regional rivalries. Gilani’s ambitious five point development programme presented before the meeting stresses SCO sponsored intra-regional and inter-regional cooperation in trade and building infrastructure and power links. It would go a long way in overcoming Pakistan’s energy crisis if headway is made in the development of power links with Central Asia. A beginning was made during the Putin-Gilani talks when the former announced $ 500 million for the Central Asia, South Asia Electricity Trade and Transmission Project (CASA 1000). He also expressed the desire to materialise Turkmenistan- Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project (TAPI).
Improving relations with India will not only help Pakistan but also turn out to be instrumental in bringing New Delhi to the fold of SCO along with Pakistan. The SCO which stresses an unremitting fight against terrorism also supports peaceful relations between India and Pakistan. Moves towards opening of trade routes and an energy corridor connecting Central Asia with South Asia would bring prosperity to the entire region.
