IT is a matter of prestige that Pakistan is hosting the SCO Heads of Government summit from tomorrow.

The multilateral event in the capital is all the more important as Pakistan tries to chart an economic recovery; besides, by hosting the summit, the country appears to have thwarted attempts by certain quarters to isolate it internationally. However, the state bears great responsibility to ensure that the event passes off smoothly, especially as Pakistan confronts a wave of terrorism, and malevolent actors trying to exploit security loopholes.

Clearly, this is why the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been placed under virtual lockdown until the summit concludes. Ten thousand police and paramilitary personnel will protect the diplomatic mega event, while the military will also offer assistance. True, the security protocols appear excessively stringent, but the administration knows that it can take no chances as foreign dignitaries gather in the capital. In this regard, all quarters, including political parties, must ensure that no hurdles are placed in the way of the SCO summit.

Beyond the security lens, the summit offers Pakistan an opportunity to engage with other states in the neighbourhood. The SCO, a Beijing-led initiative, brings together China, Russia, the Central Asian states, Iran and others, to foster a Eurasian community that focuses on socioeconomic cooperation, harmonising counterterrorism and law-enforcement policies, and reinforcing cultural bonds.

Regional integration — within South Asia, with Central Asia and the Middle East — is imperative if Pakistan is to embark on a successful path towards economic prosperity. While some may see the SCO as an ‘anti-West’ collective — along with the Moscow-led BRICS — this is a limited view. Partnerships between regional states and the larger neighbourhood create constituencies of peace and common efforts to encourage commerce and economic activity.

No one, therefore, should feel threatened by the fact that Eurasian states are coming together to pursue shared goals. Forums like the SCO also offer states such as Pakistan and India, which do not have cordial relations, platforms to improve ties under a multilateral umbrella. In this regard, the arrival of the Indian external affairs minister in Islamabad for the summit will be watched closely, though a bilateral breakthrough is not expected. Together with the SCO, Pakistan should also endeavour for full BRICS membership — for which it has applied — and engage other regional blocs to expand its trade horizons and improve foreign relations.

At one time, Pakistan was a major voice in the comity of developing nations and the Muslim world. Due to our own internal weaknesses, specifically economic meltdowns, our international stature has been severely reduced. A successful holding of the SCO summit would signal that Pakistan is very much back on the world stage.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2024