ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif lauded China as a “friend and brother” during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting held in Qingdao, Shandong Province, on June 25–26, 2025. Highlighting the SCO’s role as a cooperative platform distinct from NATO’s military alliance, Asif urged member states to enhance collective efforts against terrorism and regional instability.
Bilateral Talks with Chinese Defence Minister
During a bilateral meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun, Asif praised China’s efforts in curbing escalating tensions in the region. “We are friends, we are brothers. We discussed matters of mutual interest,” he said in a media interview, describing the discussion as “very fruitful.” The minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Beijing’s three major global initiatives and strengthening practical defence cooperation.
Emphasis on SCO’s Role and Regional Stability
Addressing the media, Asif underlined the SCO’s unique nature compared to NATO. “NATO is basically a military alliance. It’s a very exclusive club, completely influenced by Western countries,” he said. In contrast, “the SCO is not a military alliance… it’s more of an economic alliance.” However, given the recent regional challenges, Asif stressed the need for enhanced security collaboration among SCO members.
He called on SCO countries to unite against terrorism, stating, “We hope the SCO members will get together to fight this menace in this region and work for the stability of the countries of our region and the region as a whole.”
SCO’s Expanding Influence
Since its founding in Shanghai in 2001 with six members, the SCO has evolved into a trans-regional organization comprising 10 full members, two observers, and 14 dialogue partners. The accession of Belarus as a full member was formalized during the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State in 2024.
Asif highlighted the SCO as an inclusive platform capable of promoting peace and economic development across Eurasia, saying it “can be a very important vehicle to further the peace in this region and protect the countries of this region so they can live in harmony and work for the economic development of our citizens.”
