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PM Shehbaz warns against using water as a political weapon

By Pakistan Desk September 1, 2026 Pakistan News
PM Shehbaz

BISHKEK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned that water cannot be used for political purposes or as a tool of pressure, saying it is vital to the region’s survival and the future of coming generations.

Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Sharif said the SCO was an important platform for global peace and stability and that the organization’s 25th anniversary was a significant milestone. He described Pakistan as an active and responsible member of the group.

The prime minister said the global landscape was facing growing geopolitical tensions, while the SCO represented a collective commitment to addressing common challenges.

He reiterated Pakistan’s support for the peaceful resolution of disputes and respect for international law.

Sharif said recent crises had highlighted the importance of secure energy corridors and noted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace.

He said the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was an important step toward reducing tensions in the region.

He stressed that South Asia could not reach its full potential without lasting peace and called for international agreements to be implemented fully in both letter and spirit. He said water was the lifeline of the region and its use as a political tool or means of exerting pressure was unacceptable.

Speaking about the situation in Palestine, Sharif said the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank had caused unimaginable suffering. He urged the international community to respect the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.

The prime minister also described terrorism as one of the most serious threats facing the region. He said Pakistan had lost more than 90,000 lives in the fight against terrorism and suffered economic losses exceeding $150 billion. He added that Pakistan wanted a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan and that Afghan territory could not be allowed to be used against Pakistan.

Sharif said Pakistan’s SCO chairmanship would focus on turning the organization’s vision into action. He identified energy and information technology as key priorities, alongside health, culture and sports.

He said Pakistan would also propose an artificial intelligence infrastructure and governance framework at the SCO. The country’s chairmanship would focus on connectivity, innovation and shared prosperity, with the aim of bringing member states closer and creating new opportunities.