Haroon Shaukat (Former Ambassador): I think it is very appropriate statement of the Prime Minister at SCO forum, in which he emphasized to make collective efforts to tackle challenges faced by all nations. The Prime Minister also touched upon the issue of plight of Muslims in IIOJ&K as well as in India. India’s tall claim of biggest democracy in the world comes into question after seeing the treatment to followers of other faiths. SCO has many members and there is a vast potential of increasing trade and commerce thorough improved regional connectivity. The whole world is facing the challenge of inflation and recession that could be tackled through joint efforts. CPEC has enormous potential of economic prosperity through regional connectivity. Pakistan lies at the crossroads of Central and South Asia and can help increase their trade with each other. The route to reaching Western Europe through Iran by East Asia also passes through Pakistan.   

Ali Sarwar Naqvi (Former Ambassador): Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a very important organization and it has many important members like Russia, China, Pakistan and India. Prime Minister during his address at the SCO emphasized that there should be no politics on the issue of terrorism and blame games do not work. Rather, all countries of the region should work together to solve common issues. Shehbaz Sharif also highlighted the need of increasing economic cooperation and regional connectivity for mutual prosperity and development.  The joint statement issued after the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US pointed finger toward Pakistan. The fact is that Pakistan has been successfully fighting the menace of terrorism and has rendered countless lives to curb this scourge.