Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared that Pakistan will host the next Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in 2027, urging immediate preparations to ensure a successful event in the capital, Islamabad.

Speaking at a road development project event in Rawat, Rawalpindi, Sharif emphasized the need to enhance infrastructure and aesthetics in the city, stating, “We have to start preparing now. We need to build accommodation and beautify Islamabad.” While he did not specify a date for the summit, his directive signals a proactive approach to hosting the high-profile gathering of SCO member states.

This announcement follows the recent SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, held less than two weeks ago, where Pakistan raised concerns over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), currently held in abeyance by India following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.

The SCO’s Tianjin declaration strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack, aligning with India’s stance against “double standards” in combating terrorism. The grouping also denounced recent terror attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, including those in Khuzdar and on the Jaffer Express.

Pakistan previously hosted an SCO Council of Heads of Government Summit in 2024, during which Sharif advocated for enhanced regional connectivity. The government had declared a three-day holiday to facilitate that event, underscoring its significance. The SCO, established in Shanghai in 2001, has grown into a formidable 26-nation bloc, comprising 10 full members, two observers, and 14 dialogue partners.

Representing nearly half the global population and a quarter of the world’s economy, the organization includes major powers like China, Russia, and India. As Pakistan gears up for 2027, the summit presents an opportunity to strengthen its role in this influential regional alliance.

Also Read: Trump calls US-India trade 'one-sided disaster' Hours after Summit

Also Read: Trump Cancels Quad Summit Visit? Tensions with PM Modi Reach Boiling Point