PM speaks at SCO summit, asks not to demonize
Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) virtual summit hosted by India on Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed on the importance of countering terrorism and emphasized that minorities should not be discriminated against for political gains.
PM Shehbaz made the remarks at the 23rd SCO summit in response to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement made earlier, wherein Modi said the organization should join hands to fight terrorism and not hesitate to condemn countries that support terror.
During his address, Shehbaz said that “SCO member states have a shared interest in ensuring peace and stability in the region, which is a precondition for economic development anywhere in the world.”
“The hydra-headed monster of terrorism and extremism — whether committed by individuals, societies or states — must be fought by full vigor and conviction. Any temptation to use it as a cudgel for diplomatic point-scoring must be avoided under all circumstances,” he added.
“Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism, must be condemned in clear and unambiguous terms. There can be no justification for the killing of innocent people regardless of the cause or pretext.”
He emphasized that religious minorities should not be demonized in the “pursuit of domestic political agendas”.
Shehbaz noted that while the sacrifices made by Pakistan in fighting terrorism were without a parallel, the phenomenon continues to plague the region and remains a “serious obstacle” to the maintenance of peace and stability.
“SCO countries must take concerted and immediate actions, both, in their national capacities as well as collectively…to combat the three evils of terrorism, extremism and separatism.”
‘Meaningful engagement’ with Afghanistan vital for peace
During his speech, the prime minister emphasized stability in Afghanistan for peace and prosperity in the region,
