Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will leave for China today (Monday) to lead the Pakistan delegation to the Heads of Government Council Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) being held in Zhengzhou, China on December 14-15.
SCO is an important organisation founded in Shanghai in 2001. Its member-states include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Pakistan was invited to become a full member of the SCO in Heads of State Summit in Ufa during July this year.
Pakistan is completing relevant procedures to become a full member and is coordinating efforts with the SCO Secretariat and SCO founding member countries in this regard. As an Observer State of the SCO, Pakistan has been making substantive contribution to regional peace, security, and development.
On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, prime minister will have a bilateral meeting with the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, in which issues of mutual interest will be discussed.