Some three weeks from now, Pakistan will be hosting the Heads of Govern-ment (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation organization (SCO). Shanghai Cooperation Organization is an intergovernmental organization for cooperation. Its members in-clude Pakistan, China, Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uz-bekistan and Belarus. Besides, three countries have Observers status and another fourteen enjoy Dialogue Partner status.

SCO has a broad agenda encompassing cooperation in trade, economy, tech-nology, culture, energy, communications and environment. It seeks to make joint en-deavours for peace and stability in the region to create a just and rational political and economic international order.

SCO offers Pakistan an opportunity to realize the economic dividends of its geographical position. Pakistan is located at the crossroads of three important regions: Central Asia, South Asia and West Asia. Its direct border with China and CPEC mas-sively add to its economic potential. This location is at the confluence of an ancient silk road. Pakistan’s position on the map is a great economic asset that it must make full use of. Largely because of the situation in Afghanistan, this has so far remained a liability more than an asset.

That comes on the top of strong historical and cultural bonds that Pakistan has with these regions. Strength of these cultural and historical links simply cannot be overstated. Region that constitutes Pakistan today has........

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