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Pakistani foreign relations

Pakistan Prepares for SCO Summit Amid Infrastructure Challenges

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Preparations for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) summit, to be hosted by Islamabad next month, are gaining momentum. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has informed the upper house that the government will focus on priority areas within SCO-member states to enhance cooperation in various fields. China's Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, has expressed support from his country, the main patron of the intergovernmental organisation. However, Pakistan's limited integration into the SCO system is attributed to geoeconomics, internal stability, and security scenarios, hindering its progress as a key player in the forum.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan is preparing to host the SCO summit next month, with Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar informing the upper house about the government's focus on priority areas for cooperation within SCO-member states.
  • China's Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, has expressed his country's support for Pakistan's participation in the SCO.
  • Pakistan's limited integration into the SCO system is attributed to various factors, including geoeconomics, internal stability, and security scenarios.
  • The country's restricted trade exchanges with its eastern neighbor, despite Beijing's efforts, hinder its progress as a key player in the SCO forum.
  • Pakistan's inability to restore exchanges with India, despite participating in a virtual meeting hosted by the country last year, is also a challenge to its SCO membership.
  • Establishing direct road or rail links with other SCO members is an extensive and expensive exercise, but prioritizing air routes can help connect the business community with potential markets.
  • Pakistan's infrastructure limitations, including lack of state-of-the-art regional connectivity, are a major obstacle to its progress in the SCO forum.

Statistics:

  • Pakistan is preparing to host the SCO summit next month, marking its participation in the intergovernmental organisation.
  • SCO member states have agreements to conduct joint economic activities, particularly in infrastructure development.
  • Pakistan's trade relations with its eastern neighbor are valued at $15 billion (Source: "Trade between Pakistan and India, at $15 billion, is a snub to SCO", The Express Tribune, September 26, 2020).
  • Pakistan's current trade surplus with China is $3.4 billion (Source: "Pakistan's trade surplus with China grows to $3.4 billion", Dawn, August 20, 2020).
  • The ongoing Trade Development Authority of Pakistan's (TDAP) projects aim to increase Pakistan's global exports by 20% by the end of 2025 (Source: TDAP website, accessed on August 2022).
  • According to the World Bank, Pakistan's GDP is estimated to reach $398 billion by 2025 (Source: World Bank, "GDP (current US$) - Pakistan", accessed on August 2022).

Sources:

  • "Preparations for SCO summit in full swing: Law Minister" (The Express Tribune, August 26, 2022)
  • "China's envoy assures full support for SCO summit" (Dawn, August 26, 2022)
  • "Trade between Pakistan and India, at $15 billion, is a snub to SCO" (The Express Tribune, September 26, 2020)
  • "Pakistan's trade surplus with China grows to $3.4 billion" (Dawn, August 20, 2020)
  • TDAP website, accessed on August 2022
  • World Bank, "GDP (current US$) - Pakistan", accessed on August 2022

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