by Raheela Nazir

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani academics and experts are of the view that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has been promoting multilateral cooperation and addressing shared challenges amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Babar Amin, the country's first national coordinator for the SCO, on Friday highlighted Pakistan's strategic role in promoting connectivity and regional security cooperation under the framework of the SCO during a conference on SCO organized by an Islamabad-based think tank, the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).

Being positioned at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East, Pakistan's strategic location makes it an ideal trade conduit, Amin said, adding that Pakistan has been focusing on investing in connectivity capacities to advance the shared vision for an economically integrated region.

He said that the country made efforts to advance economic cooperation, connectivity, and security initiatives despite regional challenges.

Talking about the upcoming 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the SCO in Islamabad, Amina Masood, professor of the faculty of social sciences of International Islamic University Islamabad, said that the forthcoming event will provide an unprecedented opportunity for bilateral and multilateral meetings aimed at securing economic and cultural cooperation.

She underlined the importance of taking advantage of the SCO forum to increase Pakistan's trade and technical partnership with Central Asian and South Asian countries, adding that more areas, including academic and cultural exchanges, need to be exploited for greater regional cooperation.

Sohail Mahmood, former foreign secretary of Pakistan and director general of the ISSI, said that while ideal outcomes are desired from the multilateral platform of SCO, the realities and challenges must be acknowledged, emphasizing that the progress must be supported and strengthened.

Highlighting SCO's growing economic influence, Mahmood noted that trade among SCO members has grown significantly from its founding till now, reflecting the organization's growing influence and global relevance. Enditem

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