Glad to see Iran at the conference, it is important to show the world that Sunni and Shia countries can live together and be friends, it undoes the propaganda of KSA and UAE.
Pakistan was caught up in financial troubles due to internal tax non-complacency, an organized opposition which staled our economy, Indian war buildup on our border, and US propaganda against CPEC and accusing us of supporting Kashmiri separatist groups (whom they call terrorists.)
Imran Khan wanted to attend, but due to our request to turn $5 billion USD deposits into loans, KSA forced us to stay out in exchange. Pakistan government had no recourse as we had to met strict guidelines of IMF to pay back our foreign debt (mostly looted wealth of our previous 3 governments.)
Needless to say, everyone in Pakistan is indignant at KSA, UAE, and Bahrain since they honored Modi with medals and accolades not to talk ago, but this seems to be the last straw for Pakistanis.
It may be necessary to tilt more towards this bloc and towards Iran to undo an unproductive, unfruitful alliance with KSA, UAE, Bahrain backstabbers.