Security personnel cordon off a road leading to the blast site in Quetta on February 1, 2026, a day after an attack by Baloch separatists.
| Photo Credit: AFP

New Delhi:

Pakistan’s notorious spy agency ISI has secretly sent four top members to Dhaka, raising a red flag in New Delhi. Acknowledging the development, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday that India is keeping a very close watch on the developments in its immediate neighbourhood, especially ones that having a bearing on its national security. “Appropriate action” will be taken, if required, the foreign ministry said.

Pakistani spy agency ISI’s Director General of Analysis Maj Gen Shahid Amir Afsar and other senior officials are reportedly visiting Bangladesh at the moment. The visit comes close on the heels of a Bangladeshi military delegation visiting Rawalpindi and meeting the army, air force, and navy chiefs.

“We keep an eye on all activities around the country and in the region, as well as all activities affecting our national security, and the government will take appropriate steps,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to a question on fast-growing military engagement between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

ISI OFFICIALS IN DHAKA

According to a report in the Hindustan Times, less than a week after a Bangladeshi military delegation toured Pakistan, meeting all three service chiefs, Rawalpindi has sent four senior officers, including a two-star General of the ISI to Dhaka. The report, which attributes the development to unnamed sources familiar with the matter, states that Major General Shahid Amir Afsar, who is the Director General of Analysis in the ISI, and has served as Pakistan’s defence attache in Beijing, is part of the delegation.

The six-member Bangladeshi delegation which visited Rawalpindi – the town where Pakistan’s military headquarters is based – was led by Lt. Gen. SM Kamrul Hasan, the Principal Staff Officer of the Bangladesh Armed Forces Division. Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir reportedly met them for extensive talks. The Bangladeshi delegation stayed in Pakistan between January 13 and January 18.

Photo Credit: YouTube / ISPR Official

Just three days later – on January 21, Rawalpindi secretly dispatched a senior delegation to Dhaka. This was the first time in nearly two decades that the ISI officially went to Bangladesh. A senior official from Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Forces Intelligence or DGFI received them at the airport upon their arrival aboard an Emirates Airlines flight routed via Dubai.

The ISI team is being given a detailed tour of several military establishments in Bangladesh and is reportedly being informed about Dhaka’s military capabilities and preparedness.

In the midst of these visits by either side, the Pakistan Army’s media wing – the Inter-Services Public Relations or ISPR released a statement, in which it wrote that the meeting between Lt Gen SM Kamrul Hasan of Bangladesh and Pak Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir “underscored the importance of a stronger defence relationship, emphasising that the enduring partnership between the two brotherly nations must remain resilient against external influences.”

WHEN ISI ACTIVITY WAS STOPPED IN BANGLADESH

When Sheikh Hasina was the prime minister, all activities by Pakistan’s ISI was brought to a grinding halt due to its covert activities and political interference in Bangladesh, as well as its support for extremist elements. Under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, several people were caught and prosecuted for their involvement and collusion with the ISI during the 1971 Bangladesh War.

But ever since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, the interim government under Muhammad Yunus has been accelerating military ties with Pakistan. During the 1990s, when terror camps mushroomed across Pakistan and were used on foreign soil as “an instrument of state policy”, as highlighted by India at the United Nations, the ISI even used Bangladeshi soil to fund militancy and insurgency in India’s northeastern states. This too was cracked down upon by Sheikh Hasina when she came to power the first time in 1996.
 

Islamabad:

Nations, like people, often reflect behavioural patterns. They have a reputation, depict habitual traits, and usually find the essence of their identity in their nature. So is the case with Pakistan – a country which never fails to find itself on the wrong side of history for its conduct – with friends and foes alike.

The latest in its series of antics, the nation, mired in a worrisome concoction of terrorism, poverty, inflation, rigged elections, civil unrest, political instability, and economic misery tried to arm-twist its “all-weather ally” China. As one would guess correctly – it didn’t end well, with Islamabad getting snubbed, yet again.

PAKISTAN’S ‘TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT’ TACTICS WITH CHINA

A high-level meeting was organised recently between senior government and military officials of Pakistan and China. Deliberations and negotiations over the future use of the strategic port of Gwadar in Balochistan was being discussed in accordance with the so-called ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’. At this point, Pakistan, which perhaps momentarily forgot which side of the negotiating table its was sitting on, decided to flex its muscle.

Islamabad reportedly told Beijing that if it wants a military base in Gwadar, Pakistan might permit it only if Beijing is willing to arm it with a second-strike nuclear capability – catering to its age-old obsession to match New Delhi, which achieved it on its own. This tone, border-lining a threat, did not go down well with Beijing, which squarely rejected the outrageous demand and decided to put future talks on hold indefinitely over Islamabad’s baffling audacity.

A breakdown of diplomatic and military talks with China, even momentarily, does not bode well for Pakistan as cash-strapped Islamabad depends very heavily on economic bail-out packages from Beijing. China has also, for long, been a saviour for Pakistan’s military, supplying it with a majority of its arms and ammunition – everything from bullets to fighter jets. Pakistan’s Army, which has a history of interfering in decisions taken by its civilian government, is currently facing a crisis with large-scale anger and protests across the country over rigged elections and imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, cannot afford to upset Beijing amidst the current situation on ground.

According to a report in Drop Site News, the Pak-China relationship is apparently “in free fall over public and private disputes over security concerns, as well as China’s demand to build a military base inside Pakistan”. Earlier this year, the news website reported on advanced talks over setting up a Chinese military base in Gwadar. According to classified Pakistani military documents seen by the news website, Islamabad had given “private assurances” to Beijing that it would be “permitted to transform Gwadar into a permanent base for the Chinese military”.

Retracting on its assurances, Pakistan is now making massive demands in return for the strategic port. Islamabad has asked Beijing to fulfill all its demands – military, economic, and otherwise – to protect it from a West-led backlash over handing over the port to China. But its demand for a nuclear triad and second strike nuclear capability goes well beyond even Beijing to consider.

China would open itself up to massive worldwide sanctions and isolation if it violates the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT by providing such advanced nuclear weapons capability or technology to a non-signatory of the NPT. As a signatory of the treaty, China is a classified Nuclear-Weapons State or NWS. The treaty explicitly prohibits all NWS countries from transferring any atomic or nuclear weapons, technology, or material to any non-NWS nation.

With such a demand, Pakistan is thereby telling China to put itself in peril just so that Islamabad can fulfill its obsession to counter New Delhi.

Beijing is also seething with anger after Islamabad did not allow the Chinese Navy to make a port of call at Gwadar port during the joint naval Sea Guardians III exercise between the two countries. Pakistan had done this after pressure from the United States over American sensitivity about a Chinese military presence at the strategically significant port.

WHAT IS A SECOND STRIKE NUCLEAR CAPABILITY

A second strike nuclear capability is the topmost deterrent any nuclear-weapons state can aim or aspire for. It is the most prized form of military deterrent a country can have. It means that a country which has faced a crippling conventional or nuclear attack from an enemy state still posses the capability to strike back with its nuclear weapons.

This is generally supported by a nuclear triad – which means that a country has the capability to launch its nuclear weapons from all three – surface, air, and sub-surface methods. Surface missiles and vehicles that carry them means the on-ground or land (silos) as well as at sea (from warships). Airborne means firing a nuclear missile from an aircraft, and sub-surface means firing a nuclear missile from under the ground or beneath the sea (submarine). SLBMs give the country the option to strike back even if its mainland has faced a crippling attack.

A second strike capability make the stakes of a first strike by the enemy too high, as it results in a devastating strike back on that enemy nation.
 

Pakistan has made substantial progress in countering terrorist financing and addressing regional extremist networks, a US State Department report states while also highlighting significant security challenges, including a sharp rise in terrorist attacks in 2023.

The Dawn newspaper said that the report released this week commends Pakistan for completing its updated National Risk Assessment (NRA) on money laundering and terrorist financing in 2023.

This assessment evaluated 87 terrorist organisations, conducted sectoral vulnerability anal­ysis and identified donations and extortion as key funding sources for terrorism.

According to the assessment, 41 groups remain active in Pakistan, leveraging cash couriers and illegal money transfer services. The report flagged porous borders with Afghanistan as critical vulnerabilities facilitating illicit financial flows.

The report notes that consistent with its commitment to relevant UN resolutions, Pakistan prosecutes its returning citizens who participated in foreign wars.

“There were about 100 Pakistani nationals in northeast Syria in 2023,” it said. “To date, Pakistan has declined to repatriate any of its nationals,” it added.

The State Department underscores Pakistan’s efforts to disseminate the findings to law enforcement and other stakeholders, directing them to implement targeted policy and operational priorities.

Notably, Pakistan extradited a dual US-Pakistani citizen to the US in December to face prosecution for terrorism-related crimes.

The US report notes that Pakistan collects biometric information at land crossings through its International Border Management Security System.

The Customs Service attempted to enforce anti-money laundering laws and foreign exchange regulations at all major airports, in coordination with other agencies.

In 2023, Pakistani customs managed the entry of dual-use chemicals for legitimate purposes through end-use verification, while also attempting to prevent their diversion for use in IEDs.

FATF, rising threat Pakistan’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List in October 2022 is highlighted in Washington as a “pivotal achievement”. This followed sustained efforts to address strategic deficiencies identified in 2018.

The FATF acknowledged Pakistan’s improved compliance with international anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) standards, culminating in a strengthened regulatory framework.

Despite advancements in combating terrorist financing, the report paints a grim picture of the security landscape in 2023. Terrorist attacks increased by over 50 per cent compared to 2022, with civilians and security forces being frequent targets.

Provinces such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan experienced concentrated violence, with groups like the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army, and local ISIS affiliates employing explosives and small arms in their attacks.

Madrassas’ compliance The report notes Pakistan’s continued efforts in countering violent extremism, including operating “deradicalisation” camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that provide corrective religious education, vocational training, and counselling.

The National Counterterrorism Authority also expanded its Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) office in 2023, signing an MoU with the Higher Education Commission to implement CVE initiatives across universities.

However, concerns remain regarding madrassas failing to comply with registration and funding documentation laws, some of which continue to promote ideologies that could lead to violent extremism.

Pakistan’s active participation in multilateral counter-terrorism forums, such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, as well as the inclusion of cities like Karachi and Peshawar in the Strong Cities Network, underscores its commitment to regional stability.

Security analysts note that while Pakistan has made progress in countering terrorist financing, its domestic security remains precarious.

“The rise in terrorist activity alongside progress in countering terrorist financing highlights the complex reality Pakistan must navigate,” said Agha Murtaza Haider, a security analyst, while highlighting the dual challenges the country faces.

He also addressed domestic political concerns such as jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s call for US sanctions over alleged democratic backsliding.

But he believed Washington’s strategic interests in counter-terrorism and regional stability are likely to take precedence over such demands.

“Washington’s approach has consistently favoured stability over punitive measures,” he observed, adding that Pakistan’s cooperation in addressing terrorist financing remained a key US priority.

While Pakistan’s efforts have earned international recognition, the steep rise in terrorist activity in 2023 underscores the daunting challenges ahead in ensuring both domestic stability and global trust, according to the Dawn newspaper.

Islamabad:

A Pakistani court indicted imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife on fresh charges of illegally selling state gifts on Thursday, local broadcaster Geo reported.

The indictment was the latest in dozens of cases against the 72-year-old former cricket star, who has been in jail since late last year.

Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have already been granted bail in the case, which is one of a series of state treasury charges known as “Toshakhana”.

These charges revolve around allegations that Khan and his wife illegally procured and then sold gifts worth more than 140 million rupees ($501,000) in state possession, which he received during his 2018-22 premiership. They have denied committing an offence.

Khan and Bibi were both handed a 14-year sentence on those charges days before a national election earlier this year, following a three-year sentence handed to him in late 2023 in another version of the same case.

However, their sentences have been suspended in appeals at the high court.

The gifts included diamond jewellery and seven watches, six of them Rolexes – the most expensive being valued at 85 million rupees ($305,000).

Earlier this month, Khan was also indicted on charges of inciting attacks against the military, a case stemming from deadly anti-government rallies led by his party last year.

Bibi also led a deadly protest march by thousands of supporters in the capital Islamabad on Nov. 25, escalating a face-off with the government and its military backers.

Khan has been fighting court cases since he was ousted from power in 2022. He and his party say the cases were made up to keep him out of politics at the behest of the military after he had fallen out with the army’s generals. The army denies the accusation.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

An old video of a paraglider making an abrupt landing during an event in Pakistan has surfaced online and left social media users chuckling. The clip, shared on X by the popular account ‘Ghar Ke Kalesh’, captures the paraglider landing on the chief guest of the event. According to the Khaleej Times, the incident took place in 2023 at a celebration of Gilgit-Baltistan’s 76th Independence Day. The event featured the paraglider making a dramatic entrance, followed by a trail of red and blue smoke.

In the video, the paraglider misestimated his landing time and speed. Instead of landing on the field, he ended up landing straight in the first row, where the chief guest was sitting. The people standing around the chief guest moved away quickly and no one seemed to be injured. The paraglider, on the other hand, was seen trapped in the damaged parachute after landing. 

Watch the video below: 

Bud Landed over Chief Guest in Pakistan
pic.twitter.com/1y9kjDiOzg

— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) December 2, 2024

Since being shared on X, the video has amassed more than 604,000 views and nearly 8,000 likes. 

Reacting to the clip, one user jokingly wrote, “Never a day goes by when Pakistan isn’t doing Pakistani things.” “He landed like Green Goblin in spiderman movie,” commented another. 

“We will never run out of funny content as long as Pakistan is there,” said a third user. “The people still clapping and the camera man didn’t move an inch,” pointed out another. 

“He might be landed at same spot while practicing.. they arranged VIP seating on the same area…not his fault!!” said one X user. “Average Pakistani when they hear Biryani is distributed for free,,” reacted another. 

The video was taken at a celebration of Gilgit-Baltistan’s 76th Independence Day, which was on November 1, 2023. 

Also Read | Indian-Origin CEO Defends His Company’s 84-Hour Workweek Culture: “It’s A Rocket Launch…”

Previously, another video from Pakistan which showed an airline pilot cleaning the windscreen of his aircraft just before takeoff had surfaced online. The footage showed a Serene Air pilot leaning out of the plane’s side window to clean the view ahead. The incident took place on an Airbus A330-200, operating an international flight between Pakistan and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The video sparked a conversation about airline safety protocols and the duties of ground staff. However, a section of the internet said that it is a normal practice. 

Pakistan’s two senior Supreme Court judges have urged Chief Justice Yahya Khan Afridi to immediately fix hearings for pleas challenging the 26th Constitutional Amendment that granted legislators more power in appointing the top judge.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar are on the top of the seniority list out of seventeen sitting judges of the Supreme court. Justice Shah was set to become the Chief Justice but the controversial amendment changed the rules, enabling Justice Afridi, the third on the seniority list, to become the Chief Justice.

The 26th Constitutional Amendment was challenged but the court has so far not taken it up for hearing, prompting the two judges to write a letter to Chief Justice Afridi to immediately fix the case for hearing.

In their letter of October 31 to the Chief Justice, the two judges, who are part of the committee responsible for fixing cases and forming benches under the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act (2023), stated that the committee has decided to hear these constitutional petitions in a full court, with the initial hearing date set for November 4.

However, Chief Justice Afridi has refrained from convening the requested session, leading to heightened tensions within the judicial ranks.

According to The Express Tribune newspaper, after the failure of the chief justice, Justices Shah and Akhtar held an independent meeting in Justice Akhtar’s chambers to determine the next steps. Following this private session, the two justices decided by a majority vote to bring the amendment petitions before a full court on November 4.

Despite their decision, no cause list has yet been issued, effectively postponing any immediate hearing on the matter.

In response to the delay, Justices Shah and Akhtar sent a second letter to Chief Justice Afridi, expressing their concerns over the postponement.

They highlighted the urgency of the matter, stating that “this matter impacts not only judicial authority but also public confidence in the legal process.” The newspaper reported that the Chief Justice’s decision to decline the meeting has underscored a growing divide within the Supreme Court. Legal analysts note that such rifts are rare within Pakistan’s judiciary, particularly on issues involving constitutional interpretation.

By refraining from convening a full court, the Chief Justice has, according to some experts, signalled a cautious approach to the handling of such cases, potentially seeking to avoid judicial overreach or political entanglements.

With no clear resolution in sight, the dispute continues to fuel debate within legal circles and the wider public, as many await a formal response from the chief justice on whether the petitions will be added to the cause list in the coming weeks, according to the paper.

Islamabad:

In a bid to address its persistent external financing issues, Pakistan has formally requested a supplementary loan of 10 billion yuan (CNY) (approximately USD 1.4 billion) from China.

The announcement was made on Saturday, underscoring the fiscal pressures the nation continues to face, the Express Tribune reported.

During a meeting with China’s Vice Minister of Finance, Liao Min, Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb urged the Chinese side to elevate the limits under the Currency Swap Agreement to CNY 40 billion. As stated by the Ministry of Finance, Pakistan has already fully utilised the existing CNY 30 billion (USD 4.3 billion) Chinese trade facility for debt repayment and is now seeking to raise this limit by an additional CNY 10 billion, which translates to USD 1.4 billion based on current exchange rates.

The finance minister’s appeal occurred on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. If approved by Beijing, the total facility would amount to approximately USD 5.7 billion.

This request is not unprecedented; Pakistan has previously sought increases in its debt limit, but Beijing has declined these appeals in the past. Notably, this request follows closely behind China’s extension of the current USD 4.3 billion (CNY 30 billion) facility for an additional three years. This extension was formalised during the recent visit of Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, which also saw the debt repayment period for Pakistan extended to 2027.

Pakistan has fully consumed the existing trade finance facility of USD 4.3 billion under the China-Pakistan currency swap agreement. Although the Ministry of Finance did not specify the reasons behind the new request, reports suggest that uncertainties regarding some pipeline loans have prompted the need for additional financial support.

In a parallel move to fill the financing gap, Pakistan accepted terms for a costly USD 600 million commercial loan. However, this decision raised concerns, leading the IMF to clarify that the loan was not tied to the requirements of Pakistan’s USD 7 billion bailout package. Aurangzeb later informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance that the government secured USD 600 million in financing at an 11 per cent interest rate for IMF program purposes.

The finance ministry confirmed that both ministers reiterated the strength of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China. Originally signed in December 2011, the bilateral currency swap agreement (CSA) aimed to promote bilateral trade, foreign direct investment, and provide short-term liquidity support.

In the fiscal year 2021, the initial limit of the CSA was extended from 20 billion CNY to 30 billion CNY (USD 4.5 billion) for a period of three years, with maturity periods ranging from three months to one year, according to the central bank.

This is not the first instance of Pakistan seeking an increase in its loan limit from China; in November 2022, then-Finance Minister Ishaq Dar also requested an additional 10 billion yuan (USD 1.5 billion) due to delays in loans from other bilateral and multilateral creditors.

Pakistan has primarily utilised the Chinese trade finance facility to repay foreign debts and stabilise its foreign currency reserves, preventing potential market turmoil. The current USD 4.3 billion facility is part of the State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, which are approximately USD 11 billion. Additionally, China has extended USD 4 billion in SAFE deposits, which are included in these reserves, along with another USD 4 billion in commercial loans. Despite these supports, Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves remain insufficient to meet its debt obligations to China.

The finance ministry stated that Aurangzeb expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for its unwavering support in Pakistan’s socio-economic development and assistance in securing the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Furthermore, the finance minister highlighted Pakistan’s eagerness to learn from China’s experience in economic reform and mentioned plans to issue an inaugural Panda bond in the Chinese market to diversify its financing options.

Aurangzeb also assured China of comprehensive security measures for Chinese workers in Pakistan. Both parties emphasised the importance of enhancing online payment settlements and integrating the two nations’ payment systems, marking a collaborative step forward in their economic partnership.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Lahore:

Law enforcement agencies have arrested more than a dozen vloggers and TikTokers accusing them of spreading fake stories about an alleged rape of a girl student that led to violent protests across Punjab province over a week ago.

Senior Punjab police officer Imran Kishwar said on Saturday that police have also identified 40 students involved in vandalism and violence.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the local police have already arrested 16 individuals, mostly vloggers and tiktokers, during the week for their alleged involved in spreading a fake rape story, he said, adding, those identified for vandalism and violence will be arrested soon.

“We have also blocked 138 social media accounts spreading fake news about the incident,” he added.

The FIA said that technical reports of the cybercrime wing had identified social media accounts of 38 senior journalists, lawyers, vloggers and TikTokers who were found involved in sharing the news of the alleged fake propaganda, instigating the general public to involve in ransacking the government and private infrastructure.

At least 50 students were injured and one security guard killed during massive protests that had turned violent across several cities of Punjab province last week following a social media report about a female student allegedly raped by a security guard at a women’s college in Lahore. Police had also detained over 600 students.

Later, an investigative committee formed by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz found no evidence of rape at the college, nor did it find any eyewitnesses.

The committee conducted interviews with around 28 students, who mentioned they had heard about the incident from others. The committee’s report stated that the matter was sensationalised through social media posts.

Maryam Nawaz blamed former jailed prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for exploiting the matter through social media.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised the need for territorial integrity and cooperation based on mutual respect, in his remarks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Pakistan on Wednesday.

In the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan since Sushma Swaraj’s 2015 tour, Jaishankar called terrorism, extremism and separatism “three evils”. He added that cooperation between countries is built on genuine partnerships, not unilateral agendas.

Jaishankar mentioned the Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah and Russia-Ukraine conflicts, along with the Covid pandemic, to state that the summit comes at a “difficult time in world affairs”. “Disruptions of various kinds – ranging from extreme climate events to supply chain uncertainties and financial volatility – impact growth and development. Debt is a serious concern, even as the world falls behind in achieving Sustainable Development targets. Technology holds great promise, as well as raising a new host of concerns. How should the members of the SCO respond to these challenges?” he said.

The EAM also stressed the need for multi-faceted regional cooperation, to drive growth and conflict prevention. “Activities across borders characterised by terrorism and extremism are unlikely to encourage trade, energy flows, connectivity,” Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar arrived on Tuesday for his two-day Pakistan visit at Rawalpindi’s Nur Khan Airbase, where he was welcomed by Ilyas Mehmood Nizami, Director General (South Asia) of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Children dressed in traditional attire presented him with flower bouquets. Later, he had a brief interaction with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today at an official dinner held for all the summit attendees.

The two-day meeting of SCO CHG, the second highest forum within the SCO, is being chaired by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Sharif as the current chair of the Council. The meeting’s focus is on the trade and economic agenda of the organisation.

Mr Sharif, meanwhile, called for the expansion of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to enhance regional cooperation. “Flagship projects like the Belt and Road Initiative of President Xi Jinping…should be expanded focusing on developing road, rail and digital infrastructure that enhances integration and cooperation across our region,” Sharif said in his speech as the chair of the meeting.

The BRI is a $1 trillion plan for global infrastructure and energy networks that China launched a decade ago to connect Asia with Africa and Europe through land and maritime routes. Sharif said CPEC would also help enhance cooperation, adding that 40 percent of the world’s population lived in SCO’s 10 full member states.

Mr Sharif also called on the leaders to use the SCO meeting to “exchange ideas, share best practices and forge concrete action plans that will benefit our economies and societies”. He expressed his hope for “wonderful outcomes that will emerge from our in-depth deliberations”. “Our collaboration, joint teamwork expands academic and tourism linkages, poverty alleviation, empowerment of women and youth across the SCO region are reflection and commitment of our determination to promote prosperity through unity,” he said.

The SCO comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus — with 16 more countries affiliated as observers or “dialogue partners”. The group claims to represent 40% of the world’s population and about 30 percent of its GDP. Pakistan became a full member of the SCO at its 2017 summit in Kazakhstan.

– With inputs from agencies