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LAHORE, Oct 11 (APP):Pakistan-China Joint Chambers of Commerce & Industry (PCJCCI) President Nazir Hussain believes the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has emerged as a pivotal force in fostering regional stability and enhancing global cooperation, with China playing a central role.
In an exclusive interview with APP, he said the organisation was established in 2001, which has grown from six members into a robust platform involving nine member states, three observer states and 14 dialogue partners. Its primary objectives focus on bolstering security cooperation, combating extremism, enhancing economic ties and promoting cultural exchanges. Over the years, the SCO has become instrumental in addressing common challenges faced by its members, ranging from terrorism to economic development, he added.
The organisation is focusing on bolstering enhancing economic ties, security cooperation, combating extremism and promoting cultural exchanges. Over the years, the SCO has become instrumental in addressing common challenges faced by its members, ranging from terrorism to economic development.
Nazir Hussain said that secret behind China’s peaceful development does not harm the interests of any other country and has not been achieved by waging war or exploiting people. The “Chinese miracle” of becoming the second largest economy in the world did not fall from the sky, rather they developed it by strengthening the Youth-Development-Model and equipping the generation by skill development, he said. Even, China’s transformation was realised through the efforts of its people and their leadership.
To a query Nazir said that often called the “Alliance of the Eastern Countries”, the SCO aims to enhance trust and feelings of neighborliness among nations states, promote cooperation and collaboration in matters of security, trade, intelligence, technology, research, and culture, and collectively work to fight the three evils – Terrorism, Separatism, and Extremism.
Differentiating between the working and economic development the president PCJCCI said that although the SCO is not exclusively a military alliance, its member states do participate in joint military exercises and war games. With the induction of India and Pakistan, four SCO members have significant nuclear capabilities and this has definitely strengthened the bloc against NATO.
But of all member states, very few meet NATO’s requirements for military spending (2 percent of GDP), which puts a great amount of pressure on a select few nations to carry the torch during a conflict. Plus, Nazir said since member states have not pledged any military support, they would be free to refuse involvement in future military conflicts.
Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning here that in SCO, some Observer States include Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia. Likewise, the bloc’s Dialogue Partners include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. Combined, the members of the SCO make up almost half of the world’s population and nearly 3/5 of the Eurasian landmass making it the largest regional political alliance in the world.
In last SCO summit, that held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 16–17 June 2004, the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) was established. On 21 April 2006, the SCO announced plans to fight cross-border drug crimes under the counter-terrorism rubric.
President PCJCCI, while replying to another query said that the main aim of the SCO’s evolution underscores a commitment to enhancing peace, security and mutual prosperity among its member states and beyond.
Further more giving a short description about Pak China relations Nazir Hussain said that Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry is play special specialized role for promoting bilateral trade and investments between Pakistan and China. Formally incorporated in 2014, PCJCCI is playing an immaculate role in numerous Pakistan & China Projects.