ISLAMABAD, OCT 15: Indian Minister for External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has landed in Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. In a rare exchange between the leaders of the arch-rival neighbours, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar shook hands as the former received foreign dignitaries at a dinner hosted for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders.

Jaishankar arrived in Islamabad for the SCO summit earlier today, marking the first visit by someone holding this office to the neighbouring nation in nearly a decade.

Islamabad is hosting the 23rd meeting of the SCO’s Council of Heads of Government (CHG) with stringent security measures are in place to ensure the event proceeds smoothly.

Indian FM’s plane landed just before 3:30pm at an airbase near the capital Islamabad, a foreign office official said, as TV footage showed him receiving a bouquet of flowers from children. 

Jaishankar was among nearly a dozen leaders participating in the gathering in Islamabad, which was culminating with the main event on Wednesday. 

It has been nearly a decade since a foreign minister from Pakistan’s arch-rival India visited as relations remain frosty between the two nuclear powers.

Both sides have said no bilateral meeting is planned.

Relations between the two countries have gone through periods of thaw from time to time but have been largely frozen since Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties in 2019 following abrogation of Article 370 — revoking special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).Play Video

Foreign dignitaries land in Islamabad 

The meeting of the SCO, a Eurasian security and political group formed in 2001 by Russia and China, is the highest-profile event hosted by the troubled South Asian nation in years.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will preside over the high-level meeting, which will see the participation of prime ministers and high-ranking officials from the SCO member states.

The Foreign Office, in a statement said, China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will be represented by their prime ministers while Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref and India’s Foreign Minister will be attending the summit.

Prime Minister of Mongolia (Observer State) and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan (Special Guest) will also participate in the meeting, it added.  

As the delegates from participating countries arrived, the federal capital received a facelift with colorful lights, floral decorations, and flags and banners from SCO member states to welcome the dignitaries.

Today, a red carpet was rolled out to welcome the guests, underscoring the importance of the event and the cordial relations between the two nations.

Children dressed in traditional attire presented bouquets to the foreign dignitaries.

Jaishankar was the last one to arrive and receive a welcome by the Pakistani officials by the filing of this report.

Earlier today, Kyrgyz premier, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov, arrived at the Nur Khan Airbase, where he was received by Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik.

Shortly after, Belarusian premier Roman Golovchenko landed at Islamabad International Airport and was welcomed by Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar.

Tajik PM Kohir Rasulzoda also landed at the same airport and was received by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui gave a warm reception to FM Meredov of Turkmenistan, who is a special guest at the SCO.

PM Shehbaz will assume the chair of the SCO CHG today for one-year period as India relinquished it after 17 months.

On Monday, the premier gave special welcome to his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang, who arrived a day ahead of the commencement of the three-day activity in Islamabad.

The government had announced a three-day public holiday in Islamabad, with schools and businesses shut and large contingents of police and paramilitary forces deployed.

Counter alliance

The SCO summit will discuss ongoing cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, environment, and socio-cultural linkages, and will review the organisation’s performance.

The SCO comprises Pakistan, China, India, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus — with 16 more countries affiliated as observers or “dialogue partners”.

The SCO is sometimes touted as an alternative to the Western-dominated Nato military alliance.

Analysts say the SCO is one forum where they are trying to curry regional influence.

With additional input from Reuters

RAWALPINDI, OCT 15 /DNA/ – Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, met General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), in Islamabad today.

During the meeting, discussions were held on regional dynamics and the enhancement of bilateral security and defence cooperation between the two nations.

COAS reaffirmed Pakistan’s appreciation for Belarus’s contributions to global and regional affairs and expressed the desire to further strengthen the military partnership between both countries.

Prime Minister Golovchenko commended the Pakistan Armed Forces for their pivotal role in promoting regional peace and stability, and acknowledged their professionalism and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 15 /DNA/ – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with Mr. Akylbek Japarov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, on the sidelines of SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) Meeting, being held in Islamabad from 15-16 October 2024.

The Prime Minister thanked Kyrgyz Republic’s positive and active participation in the SCO CHG Meeting and appreciated Kyrgyz Republic’s support extended to Pakistan as the SCO Chair. The Prime Minister also recalled the warm and brotherly ties between the two countries and expressed satisfaction over the overall positive trajectory of the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Kyrgyz Republic. The Prime Minister conveyed Pakistan’s strong desire to further strengthen cooperation with Kyrgyz Republic and stressed the need to enhance new avenues of collaboration in the areas of trade, investment, people-to-people contacts and regional connectivity.

Mr. Akylbek Japarov congratulated the Prime Minister on the successful organization of the SCO CHG Meeting, as well as the excellent arrangements made for the visiting delegations. He thanked Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and the accompanying delegation. Mr Akylbek Japarov reciprocated Kyrgyz Republic’s strong desire to continue working with Pakistan for enhancing bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual benefit for the two countries.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 15 /DNA/ – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a bilateral meeting with the Belarusian Prime Minister, Mr. Roman Golovchenko, at the margins of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) Meeting, in Islmabad today.

Welcoming Belarus’ participation in the SCO CHG Meeting, Prime Minister felicitated Belarus on becoming SCO’s full member and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with Belarus in fostering the “Shanghai Spirit”.
Recalling his warm and productive meeting with President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Astana in July earlier this year, Prime Minister stated that regular high-level exchanges had imparted a positive momentum to the cordial ties between the two countries, which needed to be sustained so as to realize the full potential of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, agricultural machinery and joint production of tractors and connectivity.

Mr. Golovchenko warmly congratulated Pakistan on successful conduct of the SCO CHG Meeting and its positive outcomes. He thanked Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation. Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko assured that Belarus would closely collaborate with Pakistan, in its capacity as SCO CHG Chair, to promote the organization’s purposes, principles and priorities.
Mr. Golovchenko expressed satisfaction over the positive direction of bilateral relationship between the two countries and reciprocated Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation across all spheres of shared interest through joint efforts.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 15 /DNA/ – The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Qohir Rasulzoda, Prime Minister of Tajikistan, on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) Meeting, in Islamabad.

While deeply appreciating Tajikistan’s active and constructive participation in the SCO CHG Meeting, the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed that as brotherly countries and regional partners, Tajikistan and Pakistan share enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation. The Prime Minister fondly recalled his productive visit to Dushanbe in July, earlier this year, and expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of the bilateral relationship. He underscored that both countries should continue to collaborate closely and further cement the mutually advantageous cooperation across all spheres of shared interest, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, energy and regional connectivity.

Prime Minister Rasulzoda conveyed warm felicitations on organizing the SCO CHG Meeting by Pakistan, in its capacity as the SCO Chair. He thanked Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality extented to him and the SCO delegates. While extending best wishes of the President of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon to the Prime Minister, he concurred that there was great potential to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries underscoring that Tajikistan remained fully committed to work with Pakistan. Furthermore, Tajik Prime Minister thanked the Prime Minister and the Government of Pakistan for allowing sugar export to Tajikistan as this will further enhance the bilateral trade among both countries.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 15 /DNA/ – Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko, has arrived in Islamabad for the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). He was warmly welcomed by the Federal Minster for Law & Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar at Islamabad International Airport.

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said opposition to the judicial reforms including establishing federal constitutional courts is based on personal likes and dislikes.

The remarks come after the government failed to secure the magic number to sail through the bill to amend the Constitution last month, as its allies as well as members from the opposition benches vehemently opposed the proposal, forcing the administration to begin a consultation process.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is a key player in influencing the passing of the bill in parliament, on October 11 showed a willingness to support the government’s “constitutional package” with “ifs and buts”, while stressing the need for building consensus among all political forces.

On the other hand, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also raised objections to the constitutional package, which among other things includes the establishment of the constitutional court.

In a message on X, the PPP chairman said many of those opposing the reforms now because of party position, had supported it in the past.

“While many of today’s opponents have supported this reform in the past. Their opposition today is based on personal likes and dislikes or partisan positions on the politics of the moment,” he wrote in a tweet.

On the other hand, Bilawal said that the establishment of a federal constitutional court had been a part of his party’s manifesto since the 2007 elections after the Charter of Democracy in 2006.

He also attached the relevant portions of the Charter of Democracy and the party’s manifestos of 2013 and 2024 with his message.

“The PPP has fought every election since 2007 with the manifesto pledge of implementing judicial reforms including but not limited to establishing federal constitutional courts,” he said, adding the PPP’s permanent party position for almost two decades had remained consistent.

“Our representatives elected in every election under my Chairmanship of this party have been given the mandate by the people of Pakistan to establish a Federal Constitutional Court with equal representation for all.”

Opposition to judicial reforms based on personal likes, dislikes: Bilawal
Opposition to judicial reforms based on personal likes, dislikes: Bilawal
In a statement a day ago, the PPP chairman suggested that establishing a constitutional court alongside regular courts could help resolve constitutional issues and protect fundamental rights.

He said that if there was a dispute between the federation and a province, there should be a platform to resolve such issues.

He also reaffirmed the party’s two demands — the establishment of a constitutional court and the reform of the judicial appointment process. Both of which, he said, were laid out in the Charter of Democracy.

Moreover, PPP sources said that Bilawal and Fazl would bring up several crucial matters including the constitutional tweaks in a meeting today’s evening.

A day ago, the PPP chief said he would meet the JUI-F chief on the issue of judicial reforms on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the JUI-F asked the government to secure consensus on the amendment by bringing the PTI on board as well.

Speaking to Geo News’ programme “Capital Talk”, JUI-F’s Senator Kamran Murtaza said that they could not ignore the PTI and that the Constitution could not be called a consensus-oriented one if the Imran Khan-founded party was not on board.

Whereas, the JUI-F on October 12 suggested the government constitute a constitutional bench instead of establishing a separate court to hear constitutional matters.

The JUI-F proposed this during a meeting of the special parliamentary committee formed to discuss the contentious constitutional amendment. The JUI-F chief and PTI senior leader Asad Qaiser attended the key meeting via video link, while Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was not among the attendees.

Hoping to reach a consensus with the PPP on a joint draft, JUI-F Senator Murtaza said the drafts prepared by the two parties had just one difference between the constitutional court and the constitutional bench. Otherwise, he said, his party had no objection to the PPP’s rest of the draft.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is all set to host the meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the federal capital today and tomorrow (Tuesday and Wednesday).

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will preside over the high-level meeting, for which the South Asian nation has made stringent arrangements to ensure the event proceeds smoothly.

The meeting will see the participation of prime ministers and high-ranking officials from the SCO member states, including Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and the First Vice President of Iran.

External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar and Premier of the State Council of China, Li Qiang, will also represent their respective countries.

The Prime Minister of Mongolia, as an observer state, along with the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, as special guests, will also participate in the meeting.

The SCO Council of Heads of Government will discuss ongoing cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, environment, and socio-cultural linkages, and will review the organisation’s performance.

PM Shehbaz will assume the chair of the SCO Council of Chief Executives/Heads of Government today for a one-year period, as India is relinquishing it after 17 months.

He will also hold important bilateral meetings with visiting heads of delegations on the sidelines of the summit.

Indian MEA’s stay
Indian Minister for External Affairs (MEA) S. Jaishankar will represent Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the summit. He will stay in Islamabad for about 24 hours, returning to his capital on Wednesday evening, The News reported.

Jaishankar’s visit marks the first by an Indian External Affairs Minister in almost 10 years. He is expected to attend the welcome dinner, hosted by PM Shehbaz at the PM House for the delegates on Tuesday.

Both countries have ruled out the prospect of a formal bilateral meeting on this occasion, but the visiting Indian minister, like other delegates, is likely to interact with host PM Shehbaz and Deputy PM Senator Ishaq Dar, who is also his counterpart, prior to the main summit. Jaishankar has already stated that he is not travelling to Islamabad to discuss bilateral relations but to fulfil his role as a “good member” of the SCO, which comprises Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, India, and four Central Asian nations.

The last Indian External Affairs Minister to visit Pakistan was Sushma Swaraj in December 2015. The Indian PM has never attended the annual meeting of the Council of Heads of Government since India became a member in 2017, so Jaishankar’s attendance comes as no surprise.

The Indian High Commission’s media wing told The News on Monday that it had no information about any scheduled media interaction with the EAM.