Pakistan wants to join SCO

[RayKalm]

During a press conference on June 1, the Ambassador of Pakistan Masood Khan released President Zardari’s schedule for his upcoming visit to China.

(Masood Khan, the Ambassador of Pakistan to China)

“Our president, Asif Ali Zardari will visit China next week. He will come to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, and he will also meet with Chinese leaders, President Hu Jintao and Vice President Xi Jinping.”

He started off his statement by talking about the deep relationships, inter-personal contacts, cultural exchanges and economic cooperation between China and Pakistan.

The ambassador mentioned that there are many high-level state visits between Pakistan and China. He said that President Zardari’s upcoming visit would be his 9th visit to China. “Recently, China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi was in Pakistan. There, he met with the president and the prime minister.”

“When president Zardari is here, he will meet with the Chinese leadership. They will conduct talks regarding both our nations’ viewpoints on the strategic relationship we share between our countries. In addition, we will try to promote economic cooperation in multiple areas, but specifically in the areas of energy, infrastructure and agriculture,” the ambassador said.

In regards to Pakistan’s younger generation’s affinity with China, the ambassador said: “In the recent past, there has been an enormous surge in the interest to learn Chinese among Pakistani youngsters,” he stated, “Nowadays, learning Chinese has become very popular. The National University of Modern languages now even features a Confucius Institute. There is a growing demand for more Confucius Institutes throughout Pakistan.” The ambassador also mentioned that China’s Ministry of Education has approved the construction of more Confucius Institutes in Pakistan in order to promote the study of Chinese language and the understanding of Chinese culture. He also said that many other universities and schools are currently undertaking related initiatives.

“Pakistan has been an observer since 2005 and we have been actively participated in various conferences and different events organized by SCO,” the ambassador explained. “Recently, we have felt the strong desire to become a full member and we have submitted an application. This application has been received by the members and secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

In response to the question of whether or not Pakistan can become a member of the SCO, the ambassador stated that the acceptance of any new member has been on the agenda of the SCO summit and all countries involved are very supportive. “It is just a matter of time. There is no deadline. But it is our wish and our expectation that this will happen as soon as possible.”

As for the question of the nation’s role in the SCO, the ambassador said: “I would say that Pakistan would play a very constructive and effective role.” He said that Pakistan wants to achieve common prosperity and harmony and will make contributions to help the economic development of the region.

In response to questions regarding the nation’s past comments on SCO workings, the ambassador said: “I think that over the past 10 years, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has achieved an outstanding track record.”

 

[Hyde]

We have been saying this since last 5-8 years now. Only if SCO members finally make us full member of SCO

In my opinion, this is the most suitable organisation for us.

 

[King Solomon]

Why not ?

But, I think, Pakistan needs a good government first. The present government is not very good at diplomacy with it's corruption record. I hope pakistanis can make a better choice in their next election to come.

 

[Hulk]

Do not want to bash anyone but right know Pakistan's acceptability is totally based on friendship with China, Pakistan has the potential but currently it has not demonstrated its value to join any group based on its economic performance. The main value that Pakistan brings to table is its location.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

Pakistan has the potential but currently it has not demonstrated its value to join any group based on its economic performance.

The SCO is a mutual security organization.

This is nothing like BRICS at all.

 

[oct605032048]

There should be a way to let Pakistan in while keep Indian out.

 

[Fanling Monk]

Geopolitically it makes sense for SCO to ask Pakistan to join the cooperative. She allows the land locked central Asian members and Russia a shorter route to the sea so that their resources and reach the markets around the world less expensive. I think is a win win situation for everyone concerned.

If SCO can rent the Gwadar Port, it will become the regional hub in this area.

 

[oct605032048]

Geopolitically it makes sense for SCO to ask Pakistan to join the cooperative. She allows the land locked central Asian members and Russia a shorter route to the sea so that their resources and reach the market around the world less expensive. I think is a win win situation for everyone concerned.

From the North Pole to the Equator.

 

[itaskol]

http://www.defence.pk/forums/world-affairs/184122-sco-hold-joint-military-exercise-tajikistan.html

 

[itaskol]

There should be a way to let Pakistan in while keep Indian out.

There also should be a way to let Pakistan in while ETIM（East Turkestan Islamic Movement东伊运），TTP（Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan 巴塔）and Taliban are/will be common enemies of SCO countries.

 

[Bond]

TTP is bad Taliban & rest are good talibaan !!! ;-)

There also should be a way to let Pakistan in while TTP and Taliban are common enemy.

 

[Hulk]

The SCO is a mutual security organization.

This is nothing like BRICS at all.

Still it does not bring anything advantageous to the group.

 

[oct605032048]

TTP is bad Taliban & rest are good talibaan !!! ;-)

If all the Indian are agree with you then there would be more peace between India and Pakistan.

Still it does not bring anything advantageous to the group.

Drag India into SCO won't help at all.

 

[iajj]

The metamorphosis of the SCO is bound to be slow: when iran and pakistan become full members of the organization, SCO will evolve into an offensive military league and it will be blatantly obvious to anglo-americans. There is some true political reckoning to be done: chinese, russians, iranians, pakistanis all will have to think extremely hard about this, and at this time pakistanis are still deeply ambivalent about this kind of strategic commitment, as are chinese, as are russians, even persians. the NATO evolved over decades to have its clarity in strategic purpose, in politicla hierarchy, in military command structure; SCO members may take longer time to decide what they truly want to do with this organization and what they truly want to be in this organization.

That said, i am firmly convinced that the evolution of SCO is inevitable. A chair cannot stand on two legs, and there won’t be a sino-russian alliance when both countries fear that they are dangerously exposed in central asia, and none of the central asian countries are strong enough to lift the weight of expectation china and russia may put on a third strategic partner – iran and pakistan distinguish themselves with their massive size and military tradition and their potential to be a genuine stabilizing factor in central asia that contributes to the triple alliance. From the day this alliance is forged, it will enjoy a degree of invincibility that even NATO can never match due to the overwhelming geographic advantage it will enjoy. Their enemies will wet their pants when that day comes.

 

[Pakistanisage]

The metamorphosis of the SCO is bound to be slow: when iran and pakistan become full members of the organization, SCO will evolve into an offensive military league and it will be blatantly obvious to anglo-americans. There is some true political reckoning to be done: chinese, russians, iranians, pakistanis all will have to think extremely hard about this, and at this time pakistanis are still deeply ambivalent about this kind of strategic commitment, as are chinese, as are russians, even persians. the NATO evolved over decades to have its clarity in strategic purpose, in politicla hierarchy, in military command structure; SCO members may take longer time to decide what they truly want to do with this organization and what they truly want to be in this organization.

That said, i am firmly convinced that the evolution of SCO is inevitable. A chair cannot stand on two legs, and there won’t be a sino-russian alliance when both countries fear that they are dangerously exposed in central asia, and none of the central asian countries are strong enough to lift the weight of expectation china and russia may put on a third strategic partner – iran and pakistan distinguish themselves with their massive size and military tradition and their potential to be a genuine stabilizing factor in central asia that contributes to the triple alliance. From the day this alliance is forged, it will enjoy a degree of invincibility that even NATO can never match due to the overwhelming geographic advantage it will enjoy. Their enemies will wet their pants when that day comes.

This is what I have been saying for the longest time. Pakistan and Iran need to join forces to face off any Western onslought. Today, the West is threatning Iran with Military attacks but every Pakistani knows that Pakistan will be in the Crosshairs of the US after they are done with Iran. A Pakistan-Iran alliance will make the NATO think twice about launching any attacks.