Pakistan reaffirms commitment to regional development through SCO cooperation

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) — Pakistan remains dedicated to advancing regional development and security through its active participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), said Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, told a weekly media briefing that Pakistan believes that the SCO is an important organization that can make significant contributions to the development and security of the region.
Baloch emphasized Pakistan’s belief in the SCO’s potential for fostering regional cooperation, saying “Pakistan believes that the SCO is an important organization that can make significant contributions to the development and security of this region.”
The spokesperson said that Pakistan always “remain committed to working within the context of the SCO to find solutions that can bring prosperity to this region.”
“We believe the most important aspect on which the countries of the region can cooperate is in the domain of economy and connectivity,” said the spokesperson, adding that Pakistan had put forward several proposals aimed at enhancing connectivity and economic cooperation within the framework of the SCO.
Responding to a question about a significant increase of Pakistan’s frozen orange juice exports to China, the official said Pakistan and China had committed themselves to enhance bilateral trade and economic ties, including the domain of agriculture.
“We are encouraged with the recent trends of enhanced trade, and we hope that this trade in agriculture will continue to increase,” added the spokesperson.
Pakistan joined the SCO in 2017. ■