ISLAMABAD, September 1, 2026 (Nosheen): Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh has called for greater emphasis on peace, dialogue, economic cooperation and development, urging Pakistan to learn from the “Shanghai Spirit” to improve the quality of life of its people and strengthen its role in the region. The Federal Minister was speaking as Chief Guest at a joint seminar titled “SCO at 25: The Shanghai Spirit and A New Journey with Islamabad,” organised by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Islamabad, and China Media Group (CMG).The seminar brought together diplomats, policymakers, academics, media representatives and experts to discuss the 25-year journey of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), its evolving role in regional affairs and Pakistan’s responsibilities as it assumes the SCO chairmanship. In his welcome remarks, President Institute of Regional Studies Ambassador Jauhar Saleem highlighted the evolution of the SCO and explained the concept of the “Shanghai Spirit”, based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation and peaceful resolution of differences. Delivering the keynote address, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chairman Pakistan-China Institute, said the SCO summit was being held at a time of major global transformation and highlighted the growing strategic importance of Asia, China’s rise and Gwadar’s potential to strengthen connectivity with Central Asian countries. He said Pakistan’s role as SCO chairman could further strengthen its regional and global relations and provide opportunities to promote connectivity, economic cooperation and regional integration. Guest of Honour Ms. Zhuang Xinyan, Minister Counselor at the Embassy of China, highlighted the enduring Pakistan-China friendship and the importance of strengthening regional cooperation. She also underscored the significance of the SCO’s 25th anniversary and its growing role in promoting peace, stability and shared development.Addressing the seminar, Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said Pakistan needed to carefully study China’s remarkable economic transformation and identify lessons applicable to its own development journey. Referring to China’s economic growth, the Minister said Pakistan should examine how China achieved sustained economic progress and successfully lifted around 800 million people out of poverty.He emphasized that China’s experience in poverty reduction, economic development and improving living standards could provide valuable lessons for Pakistan.
The Minister said the Shanghai Spirit should not be viewed merely as a diplomatic concept but as an approach based on dialogue, cooperation, mutual understanding and peaceful resolution of differences. He stressed the need for Pakistan and India to explore avenues for resolving outstanding issues through dialogue and mutual understanding. Referring to the Indus Waters issue, he said both countries should sit together and seek solutions instead of allowing disputes to continue. The Federal Minister also called for greater investment in human development and education, emphasizing the need for a better balance between defence requirements and investment in sectors that directly contribute to national development. He highlighted the importance of the ongoing SCO proceedings in Bishkek, where Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is participating, and said Pakistan’s engagement with the organisation provided an important platform to advance its regional interests. Discussing global challenges, the Minister noted that international crises were creating energy and economic pressures for countries around the world. He appreciated China’s continued support for Pakistan and stressed that cooperation and dialogue were essential to addressing common challenges. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh further suggested that China’s development experience should be studied in Pakistani educational institutions to understand how the country transformed its economy, reduced poverty and promoted sustainable development. He said Pakistan should learn from successful international experiences while developing solutions according to its own national circumstances. Later, former Pakistani Ambassador Naela Chohan and Dr. Shafqat Munir Ahmad, Deputy Executive Director (Policy) at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), shared their views on regional cooperation, the SCO and Pakistan’s evolving role.The seminar concluded with a shared emphasis on promoting the principles of the Shanghai Spirit, including mutual respect, dialogue, cooperation and peaceful resolution of differences, while strengthening Pakistan’s commitment to regional connectivity, economic development and improving the quality of life of its people.