The 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is underway in Islamabad, Pakistan, drawing significant attention as regional leaders gather for the two-day summit.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is chairing the meeting, a pivotal event for the organization, where Pakistan currently holds the rotating chairmanship for the 2023-24 term, succeeding Bishkek’s meeting in October 2023. The summit has brought together leaders including Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Tajik Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Kyrgyz Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Zhaparov Akylbek, Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
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Islamabad, adorned with vibrant decorations, flags, and lights representing the SCO member nations, has warmly welcomed the delegates. The CHG meeting, the second-highest decision-making body in the SCO, seeks to deepen cooperation among member states to address pressing regional challenges.
To ensure the security of attendees, authorities have fortified Islamabad, leading to road closures and the temporary suspension of various business activities in the capital and Rawalpindi. Security forces are on high alert to maintain safety throughout the summit.
