Pakistan Proposes SCO AI Governance Framework, Pushes Connectivity, Energy and Development Cooperation

BISHKEK — Nazrana Times | Ali Imran Chattha

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called on Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to strengthen regional cooperation and collectively advance a development agenda focused on connectivity, energy, artificial intelligence, poverty reduction, healthcare and sports.
Addressing the 26th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Bishkek, the prime minister said the region possessed extraordinary potential that could be unlocked by choosing cooperation over confrontation and dialogue over division.

“Together, let us turn the vision of the SCO into action, its promise into progress, and its progress into a better future for all,” Shehbaz Sharif said.
He expressed hope that history would remember the SCO as an organisation that chose “cooperation over confrontation, dialogue over division, bridges over barriers, and hope over fear.”

Pakistan Outlines Priorities for SCO Chairmanship

Prime Minister Shehbaz said Pakistan would pursue its incoming SCO chairmanship through an action plan focusing on key areas of regional development and cooperation.
He proposed establishing an SCO Sovereign AI Infrastructure and Governance Framework aimed at promoting responsible and inclusive artificial intelligence development, strengthening digital sovereignty and ensuring that no member state was left behind in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
The prime minister also announced that Pakistan would host the Global Resilience Expo 2026-2027 in Islamabad, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in disaster management, early-warning systems and emergency response coordination.

PM Praises Kyrgyzstan’s SCO Chairmanship

Shehbaz thanked Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov for hosting the summit and congratulated Kyrgyzstan on what he described as a successful SCO chairmanship.
He said Pakistan took great pride in being part of the organisation as the SCO marked 25 years since its establishment.
Describing the organisation’s evolution, the prime minister said the SCO had grown from a “tender sapling into a towering tree” that contributed to security and stability across the region.

Pakistan Highlights Diplomatic Efforts for Regional Peace

The prime minister said Pakistan’s sustained diplomatic efforts as an “honest and sincere mediator and facilitator” had culminated in the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which he described as the most viable and enduring pathway towards lasting regional peace.
Referring to the recently signed trilateral Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, Shehbaz said it reflected a shared commitment to sovereignty, territorial integrity, collective security and regional peace.
He stressed that the agreement was “fundamentally defensive in nature” and was not directed against any country.

SCO Has Key Role Amid Global Uncertainty

Highlighting growing geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, worsening climate challenges and rapid technological change, Shehbaz said the SCO represented the collective determination of its members to navigate these challenges together.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the charters of the United Nations and the SCO, the prime minister said Islamabad had consistently advocated peace when the sovereignty and territorial integrity of an SCO member state was violated earlier this year.
He said the resulting regional crisis disrupted energy supply routes and imposed significant economic costs on Pakistan as well as the wider international community.

Shehbaz Raises Gaza, Palestinian Right to Self-Determination

Turning to the Middle East, the prime minister said the suffering of people in Gaza and the West Bank continued unabated.
He urged the international community to support the Palestinian people and other oppressed nations in securing their right to self-determination.

Shared Water Must Never Be Weaponised

Addressing regional water issues, Shehbaz said water was the “lifeblood” of the region and should never be weaponised or used as an instrument of coercion or political leverage.
He stressed that treaties governing shared water resources were binding international commitments and must be honoured unconditionally.

Pakistan Lost Over 90,000 Lives to Terrorism

Highlighting Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, the prime minister said the country had lost more than 90,000 lives and suffered economic losses exceeding $150 billion over the past two and a half decades.
As chair of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO RATS), Pakistan had actively worked to strengthen regional counter-terrorism cooperation, he said.
Shehbaz warned that lasting regional peace would remain difficult to achieve as long as terrorist elements continued to use Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan and other neighbouring countries.

CPEC Remains Gateway for Regional Connectivity

On regional economic integration, the prime minister said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) continued to serve as an important gateway connecting regional economies with the Arabian Sea.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to trans-regional railway projects, road connectivity initiatives and regional energy schemes.
Shehbaz also called for the full implementation of the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, saying the establishment of an SCO Development Bank would be an important step towards achieving the organisation’s economic and development objectives.
He said Pakistan, as permanent chair of the SCO’s Special Working Group on Poverty Reduction, would continue promoting stronger social protection systems and inclusive development throughout the region.

“Bridges Over Barriers, Hope Over Fear”

Concluding his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that just as many streams combine to form a mighty river, the collective strength and aspirations of SCO nations carried enormous potential.
He expressed hope that history would record the SCO as an organisation that chose cooperation over confrontation, dialogue over division, bridges over barriers and hope over fear.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also signed the joint declaration of the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit.
The summit was attended by heads of state and government of SCO member countries, along with SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev.