Islamabad: Amb. Naela Chohan, a former diplomat, has commended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for addressing regional security concerns at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit. The ECO, which evolved from the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) and includes countries like Pakistan, Iran, and Turkiye, aims for regional economic progress. However, Amb. Chohan emphasized that progress cannot be achieved without addressing the challenges of climate change, which Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted as a critical issue at the summit.

According to Radio Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously raised concerns about melting glaciers at another conference in Kazakhstan. At the ECO Summit, he urged member countries to prioritize regional security and sovereignty. He also referenced the Pahalgam false flag operation, highlighting the stance of Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif at the SCO defense minister’s conference in China, where India’s narrative was rejected.

At the summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the armed forces’ efforts against Indian aggression and acknowledged Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s leadership. The mention was deemed necessary as Iran, recently attacked by Israel in a similar false flag operation, shares concerns over regional security. The Prime Minister’s foresight in addressing these issues was seen as crucial for regional stability. Meetings with Turkish and Azerbaijani leaders underscored ongoing support for Pakistan, while Iran and Pakistan have maintained strong diplomatic ties amid recent conflicts.