Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned against using shared water resources as a tool of political pressure, calling water the “lifeblood” of the region.
Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, he stressed that water-sharing treaties must be respected in both letter and spirit.
Shehbaz said agreements governing shared water resources are binding international commitments and cannot be abandoned according to political circumstances.
He called for the unconditional implementation of such agreements and warned against attempts to weaponise water for political purposes.
The prime minister’s remarks come as Pakistan continues to place water security and treaty obligations at the centre of its regional diplomacy.
Shehbaz also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to help end the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran.
He described the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as the “most viable and sustainable pathway” toward ending the confrontation through negotiations.
The prime minister said the understanding could provide an acceptable platform for the parties to step back from confrontation and return to dialogue.
“The Islamabad MoU is the most viable and sustainable pathway to ending the ongoing conflict,” Shehbaz said.
He stressed that negotiations and diplomacy remain the most effective route toward achieving peace.
The remarks placed Pakistan’s mediation efforts prominently within the prime minister’s international message at the SCO summit.
Pakistan is also assuming the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026–27.
Speaking at the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting, Shehbaz called for greater regional cooperation and unity.
He warned that geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, climate pressures and rapid technological developments were creating an increasingly unstable global environment.
The prime minister said the SCO has developed into an important regional platform for security, stability and economic cooperation.
He congratulated Kyrgyzstan for completing its 2025–26 SCO chairmanship and praised its efforts to strengthen practical cooperation among member states.
Shehbaz also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the UN Charter and SCO principles, including peaceful dispute resolution and respect for international law.
He said Pakistan had consistently advocated peace when the sovereignty and territorial integrity of an SCO member state were violated earlier this year.
According to the prime minister, the resulting crisis affected more than the countries directly involved.
Disruptions to energy supply routes also affected the global economy and created additional economic pressure on Pakistan and other countries.
Shehbaz said Pakistan had positioned itself as an “honest and sincere mediator and facilitator” in efforts to reduce tensions.
His comments underline Islamabad’s continued push for dialogue, regional stability and respect for international agreements.
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