ISLAMABAD: Presence of Pakistan in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)  will help to connect with the energy and resource rich countries of the region which will hence comply to enhance the prospects of prosperity and development of Pakistan and entire region as a whole”.

This was said by H.E Mr. Waheed ul Hassan, Special Secretary, Public Policy and Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and who was also the  Chief Guest of the seminar on  “Shanghai Cooperation Organization and  Role of Public Diplomacy in Regional Cooperation and Integration”  organised by Pakistan-SCO Friendship Forum (PSCOFF)- Initiative of Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies   in collaboration with School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad.

Mr. Waheed ul Hassan spoke at length about the role of Public Diplomacy and the work of division of the Public Diplomacy in Ministry of Foreign Affairs that has taken various steps to promote the soft image of Pakistan across the world.

Speaking on the occasion he said that Pakistan is proud of its association with the SCO as it is a gigantic bloc of energy producers, consumers and transit countries and has grown in influence as reflected in its increasing interaction with important countries and international organization.

Earlier speaking on the occasion Mr. Furkat Siddikov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan, whose country has the current chairmanship of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), explained various initiatives of the Uzbekistan during the tenure. This is the third term of presidency for Uzbekistan in SCO. The next Summit of Heads of States is going to be held in Ashgabat, the capital city of Uzbekistan.

While speaking on the occasion Mr. Alexey Dedov, Ambassador of Russian Federation said that Russia always supported Pakistan for permanent membership status at the SCO so that it could play a more active role in this organization. Summit of Heads of States that was held in Ufa city of Russia in 2015, wherein it was agreed with consensus that Pakistan and India will be given the permanent membership of the organization.  He expressed the hope that Pakistan would get full membership of the SCO and will get maximum benefit out of the regional cooperation and organization.

While speaking on the occasion, Prof.Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, Director, School of Politics and International Relations, said that the regional interrogation is the order of the day in international politics and the subject of the seminar is timely hence the students and faculty members will get the comprehensive knowledge and understanding of regional and international dynamics of the organization.

Ms. Farhat Asif, President, Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies and Pakistan-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Friendship Forum (PSCOFF) announced the establishment of “SCO Studies Diploma Course” with one of the leading University in the Capital along with SCO Corners in different Universities and Institutions in Pakistan.  PSCOFF is also open for membership for individual and organizational level.