SCO Summit.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Samarkand, Uzbekistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit comes at an important point for our state. The current government has managed its relationships with allies and partners in the international community well so far. Key examples include securing financial support from states such as Saudi Arabia, thawing relations with the US-the announced support in maintenance of our F-16 fleet a prime example-and the continued partnership with China.

But the floods and the already-dire economic situation require improved trade and investment partnerships with even more states than before. A forum such as the SCO is the perfect opportunity to find ways to work for mutual benefit. We have already seen our relationship with both Uzbekistan and Russia improve over the years, and the SCO is undoubtedly a contributor to this.

This two-day visit to Samarkand will include sideline meetings with the heads of government of Russia, China, Iran, and Turkey, but it is hoped that other countries will also be added to this list.

Hot, dry weather likely to...

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