Amb. Dr Ghulam Rasool Baloch (Former Diplomat):It is very good and positive development that Pakistan is going to assume presidency of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at SCO Summit scheduled to be held in Kyrgyzstan. Presidency of SCO is very important for Pakistan so next SCO summit will be held in Pakistan in 2027. Actually SCO is a very strong organization and it represents an emerging new multipolar world order; new world order which is not dominated by any unilateral regime of sanctions, orders. Pakistan has been founding members of SCO as SCO represents that South-South cooperation institutionalized. It is very good and positive development that Pakistan is going to assume presidency of SCO at SCO Summit. We can’t compare SCO with EU or BRICs because SCO is a far broader institute than other regional organizations. Afghan Taliban regime is a bunch of armed group which has misled the world. Afghan Taliban regime failed to come up any commitment made to the world. Now every act of terrorism hitting Pakistan or other regional countries emanates from Afghan soil, so world is not ready to believe Taliban regime’s any excuse or narrative. In a bid to gain world’s trust, Taliban regime will have to ensure that no terrorist attack from Afghan soil may be carried out.  Moreover, Taliban regime will have to take concrete and tangible actions against terrorist organizations like TTP, BLA and others. I think that world must notice Indian worst role in the region and Indian role must be discussed at regional and international forums. India is creating narrative against Pakistan, but not a single sane person in the world is ready to accept Indian narrative

Amb A M Shahid (Former Diplomat): Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)  is very important in the region as two super powers China and Russia are its members. SCO summit is going to be held in Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan is going to assume SCO Presidency. Both China and Russia have jointly given a meaning to this organization in the world. It is good for Pakistan to hold next SCO summit in Pakistan. SCO summit will have a chance to Pakistan to showcase peace broker and global mediator’s role before the world. SCO is not meant for bilateral issues but leaders often raise bilateral disputes. However, issues like regional connectivity, trade and even terrorism are frequently discussed on this platform. US, EU are having an eye on the progress of SCO. China, Russia, Iran and Central Asian countries are willing to take this organization forward toward the success. At next summit, Pakistan needs to focus on regional peace and development to curtail terrorism; however, main agenda may be trade, investment and connectivity. SCO summit in Pakistan will further higher Pakistan’s international stature in the world.