Chinese Premier Li Qiang landed in Islamabad on October 14 to participate in the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. He will also witness the signing of key trade and economic agreements along with the inauguration of a new international airport in Balochistan, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Li at the airport. It marked the first visit by a Chinese premier to Pakistan in 11 years.
“The Chinese prime minister will meet Prime Minister Sharif today, followed by delegation-level talks at the PM House,” the PMO stated. “Both leaders will attend the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding covering cooperation, including CPEC-2 and other significant projects.”
Chinese and Pakistani leaders inaugurate Gwadar Airport
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang virtually inaugurated the New Gwadar International Airport. Sharif described the airport as a gift from China, highlighting it as a symbol of China’s commitment to Pakistan’s economic development, particularly in underdeveloped regions.
He expressed optimism that the airport will significantly boost both Gwadar’s and Pakistan’s economy. Sharif also thanked the Chinese leadership and praised the dedication of engineers and workers involved in the project.
During the ceremony, both leaders witnessed the signing of MOUs in various sectors, including industry, agriculture, and commerce, with Sharif confident that these would soon lead to formal agreements.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang reaffirmed his country’s commitment to working with Pakistan on joint planning and development. He called the New Gwadar International Airport a key step in establishing Gwadar as a regional connectivity hub, noting that it was built by Chinese and Pakistani workers in just five years. He expressed confidence that the airport will greatly enhance connectivity in the region.
SCO Summit
Chinese Premier’s visit to Pakistan comes ahead of the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to be held in Islamabad from October 15 and 16.
The SCO summit, featuring participation from all full member countries, is set to take place on October 15 and 16 (Tuesday and Wednesday) in Islamabad. Founded in 2001 by China and Russia, the SCO addresses security concerns in Central Asia and the broader region.
The organization’s top decision-making body, the Council of Heads of States (CHS), convenes annually to deliberate and make decisions on key matters.
The SCO comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus — with 16 more countries affiliated as observers or “dialogue partners.”
Foreign leaders and ministers attending the SCO summit in Islamabad
All member nations are expected to send their heads of state or top leaders, except for Pakistan’s arch-rival India, which will send its foreign minister on a rare diplomatic visit to its neighbor.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will be among senior regional government officials attending the two-day conference on October 15 and 16, 2024.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed the high-profile participants for the 23rd SCO summit. The attendees include:
• Chinese Premier of the State Council Li Qiang
• Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin
• Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
• Iranian First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref
• Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko
• Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov
• Kyrgyzstan’s Ministers Cabinet Chairman Zhaparov Akylbek
• Tajikistan’s Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda
• Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov
• Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai
• Turkmenistan’s Cabinet of Ministers’ Deputy Chairman Rashid Meredov
• SCO Secretary General Zhang Ming
• SCO RATS Executive Committee Director Ruslan Mirzayev
• SCO Business Council Chairman of the Board Atif Ikram Shaikh
• SCO Interbank Union Chairman of the Council Marat Yelibayev
Islamabad under security lockdown amid high-profile SCO summit
Pakistan’s capital has been put under a strict security lockdown amid the regional summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), with schools and businesses closed, and heightened security measures enforced.
Soldiers have been deployed to secure the Red Zone, which houses the parliament and key diplomatic buildings.
Pakistan’s government has declared a three-day public holiday for Islamabad and the neighboring city of Rawalpindi from Monday to Wednesday (October 14-16), along with road closures to reduce movement around the area ahead of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has announced a detailed traffic management plan ahead of the SCO summit to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles during the event. The “red zone”, which houses the key government buildings, has been enhanced with neatly trimmed lawns bordered by razor wire.