KHANKENDI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday urged the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states to deepen collaboration in response to the pressing regional and global challenges, particularly climate change and geopolitical instability.
Addressing the 17th ECO Summit, the prime minister underscored the urgent need for collective action as ECO member states struggle with the severe consequences of climate change, from melting glaciers and desertification to extreme weather events and declining agricultural productivity.
“These challenges threaten the food security and livelihoods of millions. Pakistan remains among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change,” he said, recalling the catastrophic 2022 floods that displaced over 33 million people in Pakistan. Just last week, he said several lives were tragically lost in the affected districts of Pakistan.
“Pakistan on its part has undertaken a series of climate related policy initiatives and is aggressively pursuing 4F plans focusing on resilience, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction,” he added.
In this regard, the prime minister said Pakistan proposed the development of low emissions corridors and regional disaster resilience system.
“A dedicated framework to mobilize climate finance along with regional clean energy corridors and eco-tourism initiatives can further drive inclusive sustainable growth creating green jobs, especially for youth and women and supporting livelihoods,” he said.
Condemning Israel’s recent strike on Iran, the prime minister called it “unlawful, unjustified and uncalled-for,” and expressed deep condolences to the Iranian people.
“Pakistan strongly condemns this act of Israeli aggression… We pray for a speedy recovery of our injured brothers and sisters in Iran.”
Furthermore, he said the unprovoked and reckless Indian hostility directed towards Pakistan after an unfortunate incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) was yet another attempt to destabilize regional peace.
“The world witnessed the steadfast resolve of our valiant armed forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir,” the prime minister said.
He also appreciated the support and solidarity extended to Pakistan by the brotherly ECO members states in the aftermath of Indian aggression earlier this year.
He strongly condemned Israel’s barbarism in Gaza saying “Pakistan stands firmly against those who perpetrated barbaric act against innocent people anywhere in the world whether in Gaza or IIOJK or Iran”.
Shehbaz also drew attention to what he called the “weaponization of water” by India, referencing New Delhi’s violations of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and the recent ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
“This violation is completely unacceptable. The Indus waters are a lifeline for Pakistan’s 240 million people. India’s actions amount to aggression.”
He categorically said under no circumstances, India would be allowed to pursue this dangerous path that will amount to an act of aggression against Pakistan.
On the economic front, Shehbaz emphasized the need to operationalize long-pending agreements under ECO Vision 2025, especially the ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA) and transport corridors, connecting member states.
He referenced ECO’s origins as the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD), a partnership between Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey in the 1960s, as a historic blueprint for present-day integration.
“Promotion of trade and investment is key to achieving common goals of regional connectivity, energy security, and economic growth.”
The prime minister thanked the ECO member states for designating Lahore as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2027, inviting all delegates to experience Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage.
“Lahore, the cultural heart of Pakistan, will enthrall all who visit us. We extend a warm invitation to all member states.”
Shehbaz also met with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Iran Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the summit.
During their meeting, Ilham and Shehbaz agreed to enhance their cooperation in the fields of trade and investment while expressing satisfaction over the progress made regarding the investment prospects.
Both leaders reiterated their resolve to strengthen the economic partnership, especially Azerbaijan’s investment in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikael Jabbarov signed an agreement to invest a total of $2 billion in Pakistan’s economic sector.
On the sidelines of the Summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a productive bilateral meeting with the President of Azerbaijan where he congratulated him for hosting the 17th ECO Summit in an exemplary manner.
The prime minister also conveyed his gratitude to President Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan for the gracious hospitality extended to him and his delegation during his recent visit to Lachin, Azerbaijan, from May 27-29, 2025.
He also reiterated his invitation to President Ilham to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.
During the meeting between Shehbaz and Erdogan, matters of mutual interest came under discussion. The two leaders engaged in a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and exchanged views on key regional developments.
They reiterated their resolve and commitment to bringing about a meaningful progress in relations between the two countries, in all important sectors.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation in trade, defense, energy, connectivity, and investment sectors.
To this end, the two countries agreed to exchange high level delegations so as to ensure early finalization of the understandings reached between the two leaders.
Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to working closely with Turkiye in advancing their shared goals of peace, stability, and sustainable development throughout the region.
In his meeting with President of Iran Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the people and Government of Iran.
The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to continuing working closely with Iran for peace in the region through dialogue and diplomacy.
Both leaders reviewed the ongoing bilateral cooperation across all areas and expressed satisfaction over the progress made on decisions taken during their last meeting for further strengthening of Pakistan-Iran relations.
Shehbaz appreciated President Pezeshkian’s leadership and lauded Iran’s decision to reach a ceasefire during the recent crisis.
President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s strong diplomatic support to Iran, including at the international forums, during the crisis and thanked him for Pakistan’s vital role in de-escalating the conflict.
In his meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of regional integration and connectivity projects, particularly Trans-Afghan Railway Project.
Both the leaders agreed on visits of their senior ministers to Tashkent and Islamabad to finalise necessary agreements on these subjects, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
Both leaders expressed their satisfaction on the strong ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan at both bilateral and multilateral levels. The two sides underscored the cultural, civilizational and historical ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan which provide a solid foundation for robust partnership in multiple domains.
The two leaders agreed to enhance collaboration in diverse fields including trade and investment, connectivity, energy, regional security, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar Friday met with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov on the sidelines of the ECO summit.
