Bishkek: “At the summit that has just concluded in Bishkek, the chairmanship of the SCO’s Council of Heads of State passed to Pakistan for 2026-27 – the first time Islamabad has held the bloc’s top chair – with the next heads of state summit to be hosted in Islamabad in 2027,” Imran Bhatti, Pakistani cybersecurity and governance expert, focusing on strategic affairs, regional stability, and Pakistan’s foreign policy, told AZERTAC.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the chairmanship of the SCO will allow Pakistan to present its strengths as the organization’s strengths. Imran Bhatti highlighted that this opportunity serves as a declaration of Pakistan’s ambition to be part of the global conversation, rather than just a regional player. He emphasized that Pakistan’s chairmanship is a significant step for the nation, which has often been an object of international diplomacy, to now hold the influential position of chair within the SCO.
Bhatti further explained that while the chairmanship might not result in immediate breakthroughs, it is symbolic of Pakistan’s desire to be recognized as a permanent fixture in the multipolar world order. The role signifies more than leadership; it is about demonstrating that Pakistan can contribute constructively to global dialogues and decision-making processes.