Prime minister calls for respect for shared-water treaties, UN reform and greater regional cooperation at SCO Plus meeting in Bishkek

BISHKEK, September 1, 2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said water is the “lifeblood” of the region and must never be weaponised or used as a means of political coercion, stressing that treaties governing shared waters must be honoured unconditionally.

Addressing the SCO Plus Format meeting in Bishkek on Tuesday, the prime minister said water sustains millions of people, supports agriculture and is essential to securing the future of coming generations.

“Water is the lifeblood of our region that sustains millions of lives, nourishes our lands and secures the very future of our coming generations. It must never be weaponised or used for political coercion,” he said.

He added that treaties governing shared waters represented binding commitments that must be respected “both in letter and spirit”.

The prime minister’s remarks came a day after the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty remains in force and ordered India to limit ongoing hydroelectric construction in Kashmir.

Pakistan stresses role in regional peace

Speaking at the meeting, themed “The UN as a Key Element of the Just World Order: The Contribution of the SCO Plus States to the Formation of a Multipolar World,” Shehbaz said Pakistan had actively contributed to global peacemaking during its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

He said Pakistan’s peace efforts had culminated in the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which he described as a viable pathway for resolving the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region through dialogue and diplomacy.

He also highlighted Pakistan’s participation in the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, saying it had strengthened prospects for peace by demonstrating unity and common resolve.

The meeting was chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, as Kyrgyzstan holds the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation for 2025-26.

Shehbaz calls for UN reform

The prime minister said the United Nations, established 80 years ago, had adopted collective approaches to address global challenges including poverty, hunger, disease and environmental problems.

However, he said the changing international environment required reforms to make the UN more accountable and responsive.

“Today, the UN is urgently in need of reform. It must become more accountable and responsive,” he said.

Shehbaz added that the emergence of a multipolar world offered an opportunity to establish a more equitable, democratic and just international system.

He also expressed concern over the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, urging the international community to take decisive action to end the suffering of Palestinians and uphold their right to self-determination.

Pakistan highlights terrorism threat

The prime minister described terrorism as a common threat and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to cooperation under the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) against terrorism, separatism and religious extremism.

He said Pakistan had lost more than 90,000 lives and suffered $150 billion in economic losses while combating terrorism.

Calling for condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism, Shehbaz said regional connectivity could only be achieved with peace and stability in Afghanistan.

He also called for an end to terrorist groups using Afghan soil to conduct attacks against Pakistan and other neighbouring countries.

Pakistan to focus on IT, AI and energy under SCO

Shehbaz said Pakistan would seek to ensure that the SCO delivered tangible benefits to its people during its upcoming chairmanship.

He said Pakistan would prioritise information technology and artificial intelligence, energy, development and poverty reduction, disaster management, health, culture and sports during the next year.

The prime minister invited participating leaders to attend the next SCO Plus Format session in Islamabad in 2027, when Pakistan is scheduled to assume the SCO presidency for 2026-27.