Bishkek (GNP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned that water must never be used as a tool of political coercion, telling the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek on Tuesday that treaties governing shared rivers must be respected by all parties.
He told the gathering that South Asia could not realize its full potential without lasting peace and stability, describing water as the lifeblood of the region that sustains millions of people, supports agriculture and remains vital for future generations.
The prime minister said water must never be weaponized or used for political leverage, stressing that international agreements governing shared water resources are binding commitments that cannot be set aside for political convenience.
The remarks came amid ongoing tensions over the Indus Waters Treaty between Pakistan and India, and were delivered as PM Shehbaz outlined Pakistan’s priorities for its upcoming chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026-27, built around the theme “Turning Vision Into Action, Connectivity, Innovation And Shared Prosperity” and focused on information technology and artificial intelligence, energy, poverty reduction, disaster management, health, culture and sports.
He proposed an SCO framework for sovereign AI infrastructure and governance aimed at promoting responsible and inclusive development so that no member state is left behind.
Turning to regional connectivity, PM Shehbaz described it as a strategic necessity for economic growth and collective security, noting that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor continues to serve as a gateway linking regional economies with the Arabian Sea.
He called for progress on railway and road connectivity projects, regional energy initiatives and implementation of the SCO Development Strategy through 2035, while also backing the establishment of an SCO Development Bank as a critical step toward strengthening regional economic cooperation.
On security, the prime minister described terrorism as one of the most serious threats facing the region, noting that Pakistan has lost more than 90,000 lives and suffered economic losses exceeding $150 billion over the past two and a half decades while fighting it.
He reiterated Pakistan’s desire for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan but warned that the continued use of Afghan territory by militants against Pakistan and other countries remains a major obstacle to lasting regional peace, adding that Pakistan, as chair of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, has actively worked to strengthen regional counter-terrorism cooperation.
Placing these concerns within a wider global context, PM Shehbaz said the international environment is being shaped by rising geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, climate challenges and rapid technological change, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to resolving disputes peacefully under international law while respecting the principles of the United Nations and SCO charters.
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He pointed to Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions, citing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed between the United States and Iran in June as a viable pathway toward lasting peace, and said Pakistan would continue supporting such diplomatic efforts.
He also referred to Pakistan’s recently signed trilateral defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, stressing that the agreement is defensive in nature and not directed against any country, and called on the international community to support the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and address the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Bishkek summit marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO and brings together leaders from China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. Pakistan is set to assume the SCO Council of Heads of State chairmanship for 2026-27, with Islamabad hosting the next summit in 2027.
M Shehbaz arrived in Bishkek on Monday for a three-day visit at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with him on Wednesday, with trade, investment, energy, regional connectivity, education and tourism expected to feature prominently in the discussions.
Shehbaz Sharif said, “Water is the lifeblood of our region and must never be weaponized or used for political leverage.”
Shehbaz Sharif said, “Continued use of Afghan territory by militants against Pakistan and other countries remains a major obstacle to lasting regional peace.”
Managing Editor at Global News Pakistan (GNP), with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Riphah International University, graduated with a Gold Medal. Reach out at sabahtareengnp@gmail.com
