Pakistan will host the SCO Summit 2024, or Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The country is going through turbulent times with internal and international pressures.
SCO Summit: A Platform for Regional Cooperation.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a political, economic, and security alliance among Ten member states, including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, formed in 2001.
It works to promote cooperation on issues such as trade, counter-terrorism activities, and the development of mutual cultures.
For Pakistan, hosting the SCO summit is an opportunity to improve its stature with powerful neighbors, draw attention to its strategic significance, and make regional issues on issues such as terrorism, trade routes, and energy security come to the forefront.
Approach: The 2024 summit is getting closer, and Pakistan needs to get ready for another It prepareshould do this by conducting its diplomatic relationships in the organization while simultaneously streamlining the internal challenges that could affect the country’s capability in hosting.
Internal Political Instability: A Nation in Transition.
Pakistan has recently experienced a great deal of turbulence in its domestic climate, characterized by almost constantly changing leadership and massive protests.
The general elections ongoing since 2023 have caused parliaments that are fragmented in nature to intensify uncertainty. No party has a solid absolute majority that can push through more critical reforms or stand firm on coherent governance.
The fragile political condition has acted as a buffer against the Pak corruption and deployment projects.
Internal political strain within the country has further contributed to this crisis as the government and opposition become polarized.
Protests, lawsuits, and allegations of election fraud have allegations have created a huge task for Pakistan to address these internal issues and project the image of unity at the SCO summit. International observers will be closely interested in how Pakistan deals with its internal strains when it enters high-level diplomatic talks.
Economic Crisis Looms Large Over Pakistan
The country is bedeviled by political instability, but the grave economic crisis is being faa. This has come with an increased inflation rate, devaluation of the currency, ancurrency devaluation national debt burden. Thus, the country’s overall financial sector is under tremendous pressure.
The cost of living increased in the country. People have been demonstrating against this crisis that pertains to the entire nation. The country’s foreign reserve had run dry. It was no longer possible to take loans from the IMF and other international institutions.
Economic instability will weigh heavier than thaPakistan’she abilitn to invest in Pakistan’srastructu and development initiativ,es whicwill bere evident at the SCO summit.,
Energwill security, trade, and economic cooperation may be at the forefront, and the country’s financial difficulties may give it little choice but to watch from the sidelines while encouraging regional economic stability.
On the other hand, the summit also provides an opportunity for Pakistan to promote investment attraction opportunities and gain potential economic partnerships, which may relieve Pakistan’s financial stress.
Geopolitical Shifts: Managing Regional Tensions.
The 2024 SCO summit takes place in the backdrop of changing geopolitical dynamics, particularly a rising tension between member states India and China and the implications of Russia’s Ukraine actions on this broader geopolitical field.
Pakistan, aahe member of the SCO today stands at a critical junction to ba, ace relations with one and all while viewed through the prisanother,f historical rivalry with India.
It gets even more complicated with the delicate balance between China and India in such an a delicate profile position under the SCO umbrella. Though China can be said to be Pakistan’s closest ally, India remains an important player in South Asia and infrastructure.
The tensions between the twandtedly be reflected in the summit’s outcomes, particularly concerning security cooperation concerningtes.
This war against Ukraine has changed the dynamics of international diplomacy altogether. Since Russia has been economically and politically isolated in the West, it had no option but to strengthen ties with its SCO partners.
This provides Pakistan with an opportunity to deepen its relationship with Russia, especially in the areas of energy and defense.
Counterterrorism and Security: A Major Agenda for Pakistan.
The two most essential areas for Pakistan are counterterrorism and regional security, which the SSCO emphasizes.
For a long time, this country has subjected to terrorism – attacks by both domestic and international extremist groups. Pakistan, in recent times, has reached what it could consider in terms of the war against terrorism in its territory.
Hosting the SCO summit will allow Pakistan to strengthen cooperation with member states on regional security problems. Thus, exercises within the framework of combating terrorism, intelligence sharing, and coordinating actions against extremism will probably be on the agenda.
Pakistan’s ability to demonstrate commitment to regional security will likely help further deepen relations between SCO members.
One of the significant issues to discussed in the session is the situation in Afghanistan, about which neighboring Pakistan a lot at stake and nothing more so than not to want Afghanistan’s future to witness a resurgence of terrorist groups such as the Taliban or ISIS.
The SCO summit provides Pakistan an opportunity to join with its member states to proceed towards the solution of the security situation in Afghanistan and not let this region become a hub of terrorism.
Conclusion: A Critical Moment for Pakistan.
The 2024 SCO summit is an opportunity for Pakistan and a challenge for the state. As the state faces severe internal battles regarding its political instability and economic troubles, hosting this summit will give the nation an excellent chance to strengthen its diplomatic relationships and seek investment.
At the same time, it takes the initiative to find solutions to regional security and finance issues.