PM Shehbaz Sharif Departs for SCO Summit, to Attend 80th Anniversary of Anti-Fascist War in China
Islamabad, August 30, 2025:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for China on Saturday to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State Meeting in Tianjin.
During his visit, the premier will also attend Beijing’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Fascism in World War II, including a military parade with President Xi Jinping and other global leaders.
PM Shehbaz is scheduled to meet President Xi, Premier Li Qiang, and other world leaders to strengthen regional cooperation, enhance multilateralism, and promote peace and prosperity. He will also engage with leading Chinese business executives and address the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference to boost trade and investment ties.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Adviser Tariq Fatemi are accompanying the prime minister.
The three-day SCO summit, taking place from August 31 to September 2 in Tianjin, will be the largest since the organization’s founding in 2001. Key attendees include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and leaders from Central, South, and Southeast Asia.
The summit’s theme, “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move,” will focus on regional security, economic cooperation, trade, and the bloc’s long-term strategic direction. Originally formed as a security-focused group, the SCO has expanded to include 10 permanent members and 16 dialogue and observer countries, with its remit covering security, counter-terrorism, economic, and military collaboration.
Deputy PM Ishaq Dar highlighted Pakistan’s all-weather strategic partnership with China, emphasizing trust, alignment, and cooperation across trade, energy, connectivity, and culture.
