Highlighting the heavy price the country is paying due to state-sponsored terrorism, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan has irrefutable evidence of foreign involvement in recent terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, including the Jaffer Express attack.
PM Shehbaz landed in China's Tianjin on Saturday to attend the SCO summit. During his six-day official visit, the prime minister will meet President Xi and Premier Li Qiang, according to the Foreign Office (FO).
Speaking at the 25th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Tianjin on Monday, the premier said: "We have irrefutable evidence of some foreign nations being involved in acts of terrorism on our soil. Those responsible for these heinous crimes and their facilitators must be held accountable."
He further warned that terrorism in any form must be condemned, including state-sponsored terrorism. "Those who have long used terrorism for advancing their political interests must realise that the world no longer buys this fictitious narrative," PM asserted.
Highlighting Pakistan's fight against terrorism, he said: “We [Pakistan] have sacrificed over 90,000 lives, including children, mothers, engineers, scientists, citizens, and officers — not just for Pakistan, but for the peace and security of the entire region.”
Reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to regional peace and cooperation, PM Shehbaz said the SCO reflects Islamabad's enduring resolve to strengthen regional connectivity and collaboration.
Calling for the upholding of bilateral and international agreements, PM said: “We [Pakistan] expect SCO member countries to follow all bilateral treaties. Uninterrupted access to due share of water, as per existing treaties, is essential to strengthening the objectives of the SCO.”
He further said: “Pakistan believes in multilateralism, dialogue, and diplomacy, not unilateralism or confrontation…There is nothing more sacred than sovereignty and territorial integrity for any nation."
PM Shehbaz also called for a comprehensive dialogue to resolve longstanding issues in South Asia. “Stability in Afghanistan remains in the interest of the entire region,” the premier stated.
The prime minister also condemned terrorism in all its forms and called out state-sponsored terrorism, saying: “Those who have long used terrorism to advance political interests must know the world no longer buys this fictitious narrative”.
Strongly criticising Israeli actions in Gaza, he said: “[The] ongoing atrocities and hunger in Gaza are a permanent scar on our collective conscience.” He reiterated Pakistan’s support for a two-state solution in line with UN resolutions.
The prime minister also condemned the unjustified and unacceptable aggression against Iran by Israel.
On China's role, PM Shehbaz praised President Xi Jinping’s leadership and added: “China’s success is a reflection of his visionary and wise leadership. Its global leadership is evident not just within the SCO but across major international initiatives.”
He expressed gratitude to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for exceptional hospitality and excellent arrangements.
PM Shehbaz described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a flagship project that exemplifies mutual cooperation and regional development.
