Islamabad. At the SCO meeting, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for international focus on the Israel-Gaza conflict, but maintained silence on the Kashmir issue. With this statement, Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif concluded the meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Wednesday. During this important meeting, Sharif appealed to the international community to immediately focus on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Interestingly, Pakistan appeared silent on the long-disputed Kashmir issue, reflecting Sharif’s cautious stance.
While handing over the presidency of the SCO to Russia at the meeting held at the Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad, Sharif avoided speaking on the Kashmir issue, which has long been a major cause of tension between India and Pakistan. Before this, the issue of Kashmir had been raised by Pakistan on many forums, but this time Sharif has considered it better to remain silent on the Kashmir issue. In his concluding speech, Sharif stressed the need for cooperation despite political differences and divisions. He said, let us rise above political differences and divisions and give priority to cooperation. Promote our achievements and work hand-in-hand to address common challenges, so that the SCO can become a symbol of stability, development and mutual benefit.
During this, Sharif also drew attention to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. He said, we cannot ignore the genocide taking place in Gaza. The international community has the responsibility to ensure an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, leading to the establishment of an independent State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds (East Jerusalem) as its capital. On Pakistan’s silence, experts believe that this decision of not mentioning Kashmir can become a topic of discussion among opposition parties and critics within Pakistan. However, at the SCO forum, Sharif talked about giving priority to issues of mutual cooperation and development.