Pakistan Assumes Chairmanship of SCO-RATS

Pakistan has taken over the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), according to a statement from the Foreign Office.

The Foreign Office stated that this development demonstrates the confidence of SCO member countries in Pakistan’s endeavors for regional peace and security, particularly its contribution to combating terrorism.

RATS is a permanent SCO organization with the primary goal of coordinating efforts in counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and intelligence gathering among member states, while also promoting collaboration on SCO initiatives.

These initiatives aim to address the “Three Evils”: terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism. The organization is designed to pave the way for future enforcement capabilities within the SCO, which aims to establish its own transnational police and military forces.

The statement added that, as chair of SCO-RATS, Pakistan will strive to promote regional cooperation against terrorism, in accordance with shared priorities and guided by the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, equality, and shared responsibility.

Pakistan will also organize events and activities across key areas such as cyber counterterrorism, information operations, border security, countering terrorist financing, and capacity-building to enhance collaboration.

As a frontline state in the fight against terrorism, Pakistan has made significant sacrifices to ensure the safety and security of its own citizens, as well as the broader region.

As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025–26 term, Pakistan has also been entrusted with important responsibilities in the field of counterterrorism, among others.

The Foreign Office emphasized that Pakistan will continue to collaborate with international and regional partners to advance collective efforts against terrorism, in line with the principles of the SCO, international law, and the United Nations Charter.

Visit of Turkish Minister of National Defence

The FO provided a detailed account of the recent visit of Turkish Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler, who headed the Turkish delegation for the 16th Session of the Pakistan-Turkiye Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).

During his 3-day visit, he met with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

The statement noted that during the meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, both sides expressed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, joint research and development, IT, agriculture, energy, education, and cultural exchanges.

During Minister Güler’s meetings with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, both sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthening strategic and defence cooperation.

The 16th JMC was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Minister Güler. The meeting provided an opportunity to follow up on the agenda of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC).

Key outcomes of the meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, information technology, e-commerce, connectivity and transport, energy, education, mining, agriculture, media, and tourism.

The visit allowed for a review of the broad spectrum of bilateral collaboration between the two nations. Both sides remain dedicated to transforming their friendly relations into a comprehensive partnership.