BEIJING, Jan 12: Pakistan has bright chances of becoming a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), since it emerged as a front-line state in the fight against terrorism, diplomatic sources said.

Commenting on a report circulated by Indian official media that Pakistan may not be admitted into the SCO, they said there was no question of disapproval of Pakistan’s request to join, since the organization had yet to work out its rules about membership. The SCO, which held its foreign ministers meeting on Tuesday, comprises Kzakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Russia and China.

It was formed in June to strengthen regional security co-operation focused on region terrorism, extremism and separatist activities in addition to the situation in Afghanistan.

China, a founding member, has long been supporting Pakistan’s application for membership, more and more Central Asian states are inclined to seek Pakistan’s participation and even Russia has never opposed it, the sources said.—APP