Pakistan Set to Lead SCO Business Council in 2027

Pakistan’s business community is set to take over the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Business Council in 2027, according to the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Led by FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, a high-profile delegation of businessmen and industrialists participated in the council’s board meeting held earlier this week in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The SCO Business Council serves as the private-sector platform of the 10-member regional bloc, bringing together chambers of commerce and business leaders from member countries to strengthen trade ties, investment opportunities, and commercial cooperation. Pakistan became a full member of the SCO in 2017 alongside India, joining a group that also includes China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. In its statement, the FPCCI said Pakistan’s upcoming leadership role demonstrates the confidence SCO member nations have in the country’s positive contribution within the organisation. It added that the chairmanship will provide Pakistan’s business community with an opportunity to help shape the council’s priorities in the coming years. The Pakistani delegation also took part in the SCO Business and Investment Forum, attended business-to-business meetings, and held separate discussions with representatives from member states focused on trade expansion, investment prospects, technology transfer, and industrial partnerships. During the engagements, the delegation emphasised Pakistan’s strategic geographic position as a link connecting South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, while advocating stronger regional connectivity, smoother cross-border trade, and greater private-sector cooperation in key areas such as energy, information technology, logistics, and infrastructure development. Founded in 2001, the SCO initially concentrated on regional security cooperation before broadening its mandate to include economic collaboration, trade, an