Q.3. "Pakistan provides the natural link btw the Sco states to connect the Eurasian heartland with the Arabian sea and south asia."
substantiate Pak's claim for the membership of Sco in the view of the above mentioned statement:

SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATON
It is an intergovernmental-mutual security organization established in 2001.formally,it was called shanghai 5,but after the inclusion of Uzbekistan in 2001,it was renamed as shanghai cooperation organization. comprised of Russia,china,Uzbekistan,Tajikistan,kyrgstan and Kazakhstan, many critics view it as a regional forum,an enigma and a Russian-chinese led alliance to counter U.S hegemony.

Pakistan status in S.C.O
Pakistan, due to several geo strategic reasons is desirous of getting a full membership status in S.C.O. the proposal by general musharaff in 2006 of using Pakistan as an energy corridor merits serious consideration. At present Pakistan has an observer status in the organization and has attended several meetings most notably in 2005,2007 and 2011.in order to become a full fledged member of the organization demands a higher level of cooperation between Pakistan and the member nations namely, china, Russia, Uzbekistan, kyrgystan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

However, the relationship between Pakistan and Taliban acted as a rift between Pakistan and central asian republics. Pakistan’s inclusion in the forum as member would be beneficial for both the forum and the country. pakistan has offered provision of deep sea port to the member countries.in addition, Pakistan has an efficient rail road system which would be useful for the central asian republic. particularly, after the establishment of GWADAR,the country would offer the shortest route for transport to the forum members.
Such a move,if materialized would be highlighy beneficial not only for Pakistan but also for the region.as apart from asean,saarc, this would be another forum where Pakistan would be a member along with india.this would increase the chances of bilateral talks between the two nations along the sidelines of the forum.

The forum, when established was aimed at settling border disputes between china and other member countries. It has succeeded in peaceful settlement. pakistan and india, too can benefit from the experience of the forum to settle their score peacefully.
Pakistan’s economy and other aspects of social life have been injured by the tentacles of monstrous terrorism. pakistan can use RATS (regional anti terrorism system) to counter the menace.

Efforts to cultivate good relationship:
Pakistan has entered into a extradition treaty with Uzbekistan. It has also signed up energy projects with kyrgstan and Kazakhstan to facilitate the export of energy from CAR’s to Pakistan inorder to overcome the present energy crises. Pakistan has also signed up for TAP (turkeministan-afghanistan-pakistan) pipeline. High level mettings are convened in this regard on regular basis.

Apart from this, Pakistan has also signed up with china,Tajikistan and kazakhstan to inititate a bus service. this would ensure not only speedy transport of goods but also promote people to people contact.
Pakistan shares a long history of stable and harmonious relationship with china which the Chinese ambassador has called as “higher than mountains,deeper than oceans and sweeter than honey” recently,in 2011, Pakistan celebrated “ year of friendship with china”.since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1951,the two countries have increased cooperation and collaboration in many sectors.

Although,relations between Pakistan and Russia have not been very sunny in the history due to indo-russian relationship,efforts are taken to increase cooperation and build confidence and trust on each other. russia has also supported pakistan’s bid to full membership in the forum.

Critical analysis:
It is high time that Pakistan should review its foreign policy and decide which side it is on. Its relationship with Taliban on one hand and U.s on the other has the left neighbouring country confounded. It should develop neighbourly relations with both Afghanistan and india to develop itself along economic lines.