SCO Summit 2025: Shehbaz Sharif Highlights Multilateral Cooperation and Pakistan-China Strategic Partnership
On 31 August 2025, Shehbaz Sharif addressed the SCO Summit in Tianjin, stressing multilateral cooperation, Pakistan-China ties, and regional peace initiatives.
Raja Awais Ali
8/31/20251 min read
SCO Summit 2025: Shehbaz Sharif Stresses Multilateral Cooperation and Strategic Partnerships
On 31 August 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China. The gathering is being hailed as one of the most significant in the SCO’s history, with over 20 world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in attendance.
Upon arrival in Tianjin, Shehbaz Sharif received a warm welcome. He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, and Information Minister Atta Tarar. In his first official address at the SCO, Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to multilateral cooperation, regional peace, and sustainable development. He strongly endorsed President Xi Jinping’s vision that prosperity can only be achieved through shared progress rather than discrimination.
The summit discussions focused on Eurasian security, economic challenges, and regional stability. Alongside the main agenda, bilateral meetings with key leaders were also anticipated.
During his visit, Sharif also toured Tianjin University, where he praised Pakistani students as future nation-builders and highlighted China’s poverty alleviation model as a blueprint for sustainable growth. He emphasized that Pakistan and China should expand cooperation in technology, education, and disaster management.
A significant sideline meeting took place between Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Erdoğan expressed solidarity with Pakistan following the recent devastating floods and assured continued support in humanitarian, economic, and political cooperation. Both leaders agreed to deepen ties across multiple sectors.
The summit also reaffirmed the strength of the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, particularly in advancing the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Sharif underlined that the SCO platform plays a pivotal role in promoting peace, connectivity, and development across the Eurasian region.
Globally, the SCO is increasingly being viewed as a counterweight to Western-led alliances. However, practical alignment among member states remains a challenge. Despite this, Pakistan has a unique opportunity to position itself as a proactive player, strengthening its strategic partnerships and contributing to collective regional stability.