BISHKEK, Sep 02 (Alliance News): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned against using water as a political tool, stressing that the vital resource must not be weaponised or used as an instrument of coercion.
Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit in Bishkek on Tuesday, the prime minister said water was the lifeblood of South Asia and sustained millions of people and livelihoods.
“South Asia cannot realise its true potential without lasting peace,” he said, stressing that water must not be exploited for political leverage.
The remarks come amid tensions over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which India placed in abeyance following the April 2025 attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan rejected allegations of involvement in the attack.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said Pakistan believed in peaceful resolution of disputes, respect for international law and implementation of international agreements according to their spirit and letter.
Pakistan formally assumed the SCO chairmanship for 2026-27 during the summit, with Islamabad scheduled to host the next Council of Heads of State summit in 2027.
The prime minister said Pakistan would use its chairmanship to promote cooperation among member states in regional security, economic development, connectivity, energy and information technology.
He described the SCO as an important platform for promoting global peace and stability, particularly as the international community faces growing geopolitical tensions.
PM Shehbaz also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts during recent regional crises, saying they contributed to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the United States.
He described the Islamabad MoU as an important step towards regional de-escalation and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to lasting peace.
Referring to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, the prime minister said the agreement was defensive in nature and was not directed against any country.
He also called for continued international support for the Palestinian people and other oppressed nations in securing their fundamental right to self-determination.
The prime minister identified terrorism as one of the most serious challenges facing the region. He said Pakistan had sacrificed more than 90,000 lives in the fight against terrorism and suffered economic losses exceeding $150 billion.
Highlighting the importance of regional connectivity, PM Shehbaz said more than three billion people lived in the SCO region, making connectivity a strategic necessity rather than an option.
He called for greater cooperation on regional rail, road and energy projects, saying recent crises had demonstrated the importance of secure energy corridors.
The premier described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as an important mechanism for connecting regional economies with the Arabian Sea.
He also called for implementation of the SCO Development Strategy 2035 and supported the establishment of an SCO Development Bank.
PM Shehbaz said poverty reduction, social protection, energy and information technology would remain among Pakistan’s key priorities during its SCO chairmanship.
Earlier, leaders of SCO member states signed the summit declaration, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The prime minister is on a three-day official visit to Kyrgyzstan from August 31 to September 2 to attend the SCO summit, the SCO Plus Summit and hold bilateral meetings.
