Beijing: Dr. Zahid Anwar Khan, an expert in international relations, highlighted the significance of the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in China. The event offered Pakistan a platform to fortify its relationships not only with China but also with other participating nations. During the summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in both individual and delegation-level meetings with various heads of state. These discussions, particularly with Chinese leaders, reinforced the mutual commitment to enhance bilateral ties across multiple sectors. A key outcome was the agreement to expedite the projects under the second phase of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

According to Radio Pakistan, the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) at the summit underscores Pakistan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's dedication to accelerating the completion of CPEC projects. Prime Minister Sharif also emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals involved in CPEC-related endeavors, with Pakistani security forces providing comprehensive protection. The CPEC initiative, which involves multi-billion dollar investments, has already seen substantial success in its first phase. Both nations are now concentrating their efforts on the swift completion of the second phase.