 Regional security

 Counter-terrorism and improving security
 Fostering connectivity networks,
 Trade, investment, and economic opportunities,
 Climate changed

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1 “SCO Summit 2024 in Pakistan: October Dates, Schedule, Members and Agenda,” Observer Diplomat -
International Affairs & Diplomatic Magazine, October 11, 2024, https://observerdiplomat.com/sco-
summit-2024-in-pakistan-october-dates-schedule-members-and-agenda/.
2 “SCO Summit 2024 in Pakistan: October Dates, Schedule, Members and Agenda,” Observer Diplomat -
International Affairs & Diplomatic Magazine, October 11, 2024, https://observerdiplomat.com/sco-
summit-2024-in-pakistan-october-dates-schedule-members-and-agenda/.
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SCO is highly significant as its nine member states are China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Central

Asian nations, also known as CARs (Central Asian Republics) Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and
Tajikistan. Other than the member states, SCO has 17 observers and dialogue partners making it an
organization of 26 countries. The member states encompass a resource-rich region with one-fourth
of global oil reserves and many other resources. These nations contribute to 41% of the world’s
population and 23% of the world’s GDP.3 The combined GDP of SCO members is approximately 24.4
trillion USD.4 These statistics provide a bright future for SCO if it expands further.
Significance of Pakistan for SCO
 Important geostrategic position:
Pakistan's important geographic location gives it an edge in geostrategic, geopolitics, and
geo-economics. The Central Asian Republics are landlocked allowing Pakistan to provide a
sea route to the SCO members, especially landlocked Central Asia.
 Economic Potential:
Pakistan is a resource-rich country. Its natural resources, such as coal, gas, minerals, etc.,
give it an edge in attracting foreign investments. Exploring trade relations with SCO member
countries can further enhance Pakistan's exports. If free trade and tariff policies are
implemented, Pakistan can serve as a potential market for SCO members.
 Role in Regional Security:
Pakistan has a whole history of war against terrorism. Through this experience, Pakistan can
aid SCO in the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) as SCO members are prone to
security issues. 5
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3 Babar Amin, “The Expanding Role of SCO: Strengthening Pakistan’s Regional Integration,” ISSI, 2023,
https://issi.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Article-The-Expanding-Role-of-SCO-Strengthening-
Pakistans-Regional-Integration-by-Ambassador-Retired-Babar-Amin.pdf.
4 Florian Zandt, “How Much Does The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Contribute to the World's GDP?,”
Statista, 2024, https://www.statista.com/chart/32538/comparison-of-the-shanghai-cooperation-
organization-with-selected-regional-international-organizations/
5 Muhammad Saif Ur Rehman, “SIGNIFICANCE OF SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION – PAKISTAN’S
PERSPECTIVE,” Margalla Papers, 2014,
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Strategic Opportunities for Pakistan

Engagement in Diplomatic Relations
Hosting this summit provides Pakistan with an opportunity to enhance its diplomatic ties
and engage in interdependent relations with major powers like Russia, China, and CARs. This
provides Pakistan with an opportunity to position itself in multilateral ties and gives a break
from strained bilateral relations. After the revocation of Article 370, the tensions over the
Kashmir issue have escalated with India but Pakistan extending the invite to India in a
multilateral platform allows both, Pakistan and India to open diplomatic ties. External Affairs
minister S. Jaishankar is to attend the summit representing India and has clearly stated that
his visit is for the SCO summit with no discussion on India-Pakistan bilateral relations. 6 Even
though this statement highlights the focus of summit on multilateral ties, still it is
noteworthy as it gives a relief from contentious bilateral issues.
Economic Opportunities
Through the hosting of SCO summit, Pakistan’s relations to multifaceted cooperation will
boost new prospects for cooperation in the spheres of the economy with regional countries
besides improving the existing cooperation such as CPEC. This summit offers Pakistan the
opportunity to invite more foreign investment in spheres other than infrastructure, such as
technologies, energy, and agriculture. For instance, this summit may create new relations
with Central Asia through schemes such as the TAP pipeline which shall improve energy
infrastructure and energy reliability in the region. Besides, this summit let Pakistan open to
turn the country into a center of regional trade and logistics for other countries such as
Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to invest.7
Climate Change
Even though Pakistan’s contribution is the least to global Climate Change, it is still one of the
most affected countries by Climate change effects. Pakistan has drawn attention to this
issue at the Astana summit. 8The role of a host can influence this stance as it will give
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6 “SCO Summit 2024 in Pakistan: October Dates, Schedule, Members and Agenda,” Observer Diplomat -

International Affairs & Diplomatic Magazine, October 11, 2024, https://observerdiplomat.com/sco-
summit-2024-in-pakistan-october-dates-schedule-members-and-agenda/.
7 Muhammad Saif Ur Rehman, “Significance of Shanghai Cooperation Organization – Pakistan’s
Perspective,” Margalla Papers, 2014,
8 Saima Shabbir, “Pakistan PM Demands ‘Generous’ Assistance for Nations Vulnerable to Climate Change at
SCO Summit.” Arab News PK, July 4, 2024. https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2543281/pakistan
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.Pakistan a chance to attract a considerable amount of attention to its vulnerability to
climate change. It can do so by framing debates on how climate change affects developing
countries worse, advancing certain climate change frameworks, or advocating for enhancing
regional climate change responses. From this position, Pakistan can also lobby for climate
financing frameworks, especially for vulnerable countries, and conduct sector-wise
specialized panels/sessions on climate, Risk management, Climate Resilience, and
Sustainable Development best practices. This way, proactive engagement will help circulate
Pakistan’s viewpoint more widely around the world.
Diplomatic Challenges for Pakistan
Internal Political Instability and Governance Issues
The political instability and governance issues within Pakistan may also pose a challenge as
they directly affect foreign policy and may hinder the country’s capacity to be involved
significantly in SCO. 9 These internal issues hinder the diplomatic efforts and also diminish
the competency of the country in addressing its international commitments. If Pakistan has
to become more proactive and have a larger influence within the organization addressing
these issues around governance and stability is imperative.
The Dominance of Major Powers like China, and Russia in SCO
China and Russia are the most influential members with SCO. Both the countries play a key
role in shaping the organization’s agenda with some frequency and are capable of navigating
various discussions and policies. Such dominance distorts the roles of decision making within
nations, and makes the policies of the powerful countries dominate while neglecting the
scarcely audible voice of a country. For Pakistan it is imperative to do this cautiously by
forming alliances with other member states, ensuring that it is heard and getting an equal
share of voice for the setting up of SCO’s agenda. Moreover, Pakistan must look for ways
how it can assert itself in important areas such as counter terrorism, trade and connectivity
without being left behind or a nuisance in the process.
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9 Muhammad Saif Ur Rehman, “Significance of Shanghai Cooperation Organization – Pakistan’s
Perspective,” Margalla Papers, 2014,
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Balancing the Western Perception
One of the concerns is that SCO is often considered to counterbalance Western alliances like
NATO,10 so there is a possibility that this summit is considered to be an anti-Western
gathering. Pakistan must consider this participation carefully and not let this harm its
relations with Western countries. This diplomatic challenge involves to present SCO as
regional cooperation and stability organization and not the combative towards the West.
Policy Recommendations
To achieve the full strategic advantage of this summit and counter the diplomatic challenges,
Pakistan should:
 Focus on Confidence Building Measures to reduce the intensity of conflicts and open the
way for regional stability.11
 The member states should avoid politicizing the SCO forum, avoiding the bilateral
conflicts that may overshadow the collective issues.
 Advocate to implement relevant UN resolutions particularly those related to counter-
terrorism, regional stability, bilateral issues, and peaceful settlement of disputes.
 Advocate for equal say within the organization during the decision-making process. This
would ensure the equal participation of smaller states like CARs and Pakistan.
 Advocate for climate change cooperation within the SCO framework. This involves the
collection of actions and initiatives like Climate Funds.
Conclusion
Pakistan hosting SCO 2024 summits comes with strategic opportunities and diplomatic challenges.
This will enable Pakistan to strengthen diplomatic ties, navigate economic collaboration, and help
Pakistan enhance its role in regional stability and climate change issues. But the complex diplomatic
issues may cause hindrances. Pakistan can take full advantage of this opportunity by working on
CBMs, implementing UN resolutions, avoiding politicizing the organization and taking other strategic
measures.
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10 Syed Nasir Hassan, “The SCO Needs to Be More than a China-Russia Front against the West,” The
diplomat, August 6, 2024, https://thediplomat.com/2024/08/the-sco-needs-to-be-more-than-a-china-
russia-front-against-the-west/.
11 Sarwat Rauf, “Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO): Opportunities for Pakistan.” NUST Journal of
International Peace and Stability. Vol. II–II, 2019. https://njips.nust.edu.pk.
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