Pakistan to Host Next SCO Summit in Islamabad

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday that Pakistan will host the next Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, calling on authorities to begin preparations immediately. The announcement comes just two weeks after the SCO summit in Tianjin, China, where Pakistan highlighted the Indus Waters Treaty issue and joined in a declaration condemning attacks in Khuzdar, Pahalgam, and on the Jaffar Express.

Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad, the prime minister said the capital must be made ready to welcome international leaders. He stressed the need for building accommodation and beautifying the city, adding that saplings gifted by Tajikistan are being planted by the Capital Development Authority Islamabad.

Pakistan last hosted the SCO in 2024, when the Council of Heads of Government Summit was held under tight security. That event included a three-day public holiday and major route closures in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

The prime minister also inaugurated the foundation stone of the T-Chowk flyover, which he said would bring traffic relief to citizens of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. He further revealed plans for a new rail project connecting the twin cities, complementing the existing metro and EV bus service, as part of broader efforts to improve public transport.