Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday urged the international community to reject terrorism as a political instrument, stressing the importance of sovereignty, dialogue, and regional cooperation during his address at the 25th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Tianjin, China.
Calling the SCO a platform of shared aspirations, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace, connectivity, and collective security. “Pakistan believes in multilateralism, dialogue, and diplomacy, not unilateralism or confrontation. Sovereignty and territorial integrity are sacred for every nation,” he said.
Sharif warned against state-backed terrorism, saying the world “no longer buys this fictitious narrative.” He revealed that Pakistan has “irrefutable evidence” of foreign involvement in recent attacks, including the Jaffer Express hostage crisis and incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. “Those behind these heinous crimes must be held accountable,” he added.
Highlighting Pakistan’s sacrifices, he noted that more than 90,000 lives have been lost in the fight against terrorism. He also linked regional peace to stability in Afghanistan.
The premier strongly criticised Israel for atrocities in Gaza and condemned aggression against Iran, terming both as violations of international norms. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a two-state solution for Palestine.
On China’s role, Sharif praised President Xi Jinping’s leadership, describing China’s development model and initiatives like CPEC as “a reflection of visionary guidance and mutual trust.” He thanked Beijing for its hospitality and support, calling the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor a “flagship of cooperation and regional development.”
