DAWN 13-12-2011 OPINION

THE 10th summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was recently held in Russia which stirred the US administration and its western allies. Pakistan`s prime minister said in his speech during the SCO summit of heads of state: `As a frontline state, we have to make painful sacrifices.

Our determination to eradicate terrorism and extremism remains unwavering`.

The members have expressed their willingness to admit Pakistan within the fold of the SCO. Pakistan`s participation in the the SCO would enhance the organisation`s capabilities to counter terrorism. The primeminister lauded the organisation`s initiative to strengthen cooperation with observers.

Pakistan is eagerly looking forward to participate in core SCO activities such as the areas of finance and commerce, transport and communications, and energy and security.

The SCO consist of four members of the ECO along with Russia and China. Leaders of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan founded the SCO in June 2001.

Pakistan has cordial relations with four Central Asian members of the ECO. Many perceive theSCO as a counter-organisation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Pakistan, India and Nepal, which are members of Saarc, have applied for the membership of the SCO.

Afghanistan, a member of the ECO, has been accorded full membership of Saarc during 14th summit held in India. This is the first gesture of conglomeration of the Saarc and the ECO.

India and Pakistan, the two members of Saarc, Iran a founding member of the ECO, and Mongolia, a buffer state between Russia and China, have observer status in the SCO. Mongolia, Pakistan and Iran have alsoapplied for its full membership.

China has supported Pakistan and Nepal`s intention to join the SCO.

Its membership will help Pakistan and Nepal to avert the imminent oil and energy crisis.

The SCO is primarily centered on its member-nations` Central Asian security-related concerns, often describing the main threats it confronts as being terrorism, separatism and extremism.

This will become the largest regional organisation of Asia provided these countries are admitted. It will be the amalgamation of ECO and Saarc.

It will herald a new beginning in the world politics according to theprophecy of Nostradamus many decades ago.

Pakistan should use good offices to acquire its full membership to reap the benefit of cooperation in vital sectors.

Pakistan would avert the repercussions of new aid legislation in the US.

Pakistan`s participation in the SCO will be geared towards promoting harmony and stability within this great family of nations.

Its membership would enhance its economic cooperation and strategic cooperation with the ECO countries, China and Russia.

PROF A. QAYUM MANGI Sukkur