Pakistan, SCO (China) to enhance cooperation against terrorism

APP

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Wednesday underlined the need for increased cooperation between Pakistan and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), especially in intelligence sharing and enhancing of capacity to fight terrorism. The Foreign Minister was talking to Jenishbek Muhamed karimovich Jumanbekov, Executive Director, Regional Counter Terrorism Structure (RCTS) of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) who called on him. Matters of mutual interest especially Pakistan's growing cooperation with the SCO came under discussion.

The Foreign Minister said Pakistan fully endorsed the aims and objectives of the SCO and, accordingly had been actively participating in its activities as observer.

Pakistan was confident that it would get full membership of the Organization as soon as its procedure and criteria were finalized by the Organization, he added..

The Foreign Minister added that Pakistan was fully committed to the SCO. The President was keenly looking forward to attending the SCO Summit being held in Tashkent next month.

Briefing the Executive Director on Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts, the Foreign Minister said that Pakistan's policy vis-a-vis terrorism was clear and based on principles.

Pakistan rejected terrorism in its all forms and manifestations. It was against providing sanctuaries to terrorists and it would never allow its territory to be used for terrorist actions anywhere in the world, he added.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that terrorism was a global issue and in order for the world to address this scourge effectively, sustained cooperation was essential at all levels.

The Executive Director said that the international community acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan's determined efforts against terrorism and fully supported its strategy to root out this menace.

He also briefed the Foreign Minister about the work being done by the RCTS.

He said Islam was a religion of peace and that it abhorred terrorism and extremism. He expressed the hope that Pakistan and the SCO would further strengthen their cooperation in the months and years ahead to combat terrorism.

The Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Islamabad Bakhitbek Shabarbayev also attended the meeting.