Key Points:
- PM Shehbaz Sharif announced Pakistan will host the 2027 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit, marking a significant diplomatic opportunity
- Infrastructure preparations include building new accommodations, beautifying Islamabad, and completing the Rs1.495 billion T-Chowk flyover project
- The announcement comes two weeks after the historic 25th SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, which adopted the landmark “Tianjin Declaration”
- Pakistan raised the contentious Indus Water Treaty issue at the Tianjin summit, suspended by India following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack
- This follows Pakistan’s successful hosting of the 2024 SCO Council of Heads of Government Summit despite security challenges
Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday that Pakistan will host the next Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in 2027, while inaugurating a major infrastructure project in Rawalpindi. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the T-Chowk flyover project at Rawat, Sharif emphasized the need for immediate preparations to transform Islamabad into a world-class venue.
“We have to start preparing now,” the Prime Minister declared, directing authorities to begin construction of new accommodations and beautification of the capital city. The announcement signals Pakistan’s commitment to leveraging the prestigious international summit as a catalyst for comprehensive urban development and diplomatic positioning.
Comprehensive Infrastructure Transformation Plans
The government has outlined an extensive infrastructure upgrade program targeting Islamabad’s transformation ahead of the 2027 summit. Key initiatives include landscaping and horticulture projects already underway, with Tajikistan gifting saplings and trees to enhance the capital’s green cover.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that the Rs1.495 billion T-Chowk flyover will be completed within 150 days, designed to ease traffic for over 41,500 vehicles daily out of nearly 100,000 crossing the junction. The one-kilometer flyover at the junction of T-Road and Islamabad Express Highway represents the first phase of major connectivity improvements.
Additional projects include expansion of public transport systems with proposed railcar projects, metro bus services, and electric vehicle transport networks connecting the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Constitution Avenue improvements are also in progress as part of the capital’s aesthetic enhancement program.
Recent SCO Summit Context and Pakistan’s Diplomatic Engagement
Historic Tianjin Summit Outcomes
The announcement comes exactly two weeks after the conclusion of the 25th SCO Summit held in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, 2025. The Tianjin summit marked the largest gathering in SCO’s 24-year history, bringing together leaders from 10 member nations and expanding the organization to include 27 countries with various partnership statuses.
The summit adopted the comprehensive “Tianjin Declaration” addressing security, economic, and social challenges while promoting regional cooperation and a multipolar world order. Significantly, the declaration strongly condemned terrorism, including recent attacks such as the Pahalgam incident in India, with member states agreeing to strengthen joint counterterrorism efforts.
India’s vision “One Earth, One Family, One Future” was recognized at the summit, with Prime Minister Modi emphasizing “Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity” as core principles for SCO’s future direction. The summit also approved a Development Strategy until 2035 focusing on reducing trade barriers and strengthening regional value chains.
Indus Water Treaty Controversy at Summit
Pakistan raised the contentious Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) issue during the Tianjin summit, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic tensions with India. India had suspended the 65-year-old treaty on April 23, 2025, following the horrific Pahalgam terror attack that killed 25 male tourists from 14 different Indian states.
The Indian Cabinet Committee on Security weaponized the IWT, placing it on hold until “Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism”. India’s actions included stopping water flow on the Chenab River from the Baglihar Dam and carrying out off-season reservoir flushing in violation of treaty provisions.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to disrupt shared river flows could be considered an act of war, with threats of nuclear retaliation. Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari warned in June 2025 that Pakistan would “secure all six rivers” if water wasn’t shared fairly.
Pakistan’s Previous SCO Hosting Experience
Successful 2024 Summit Despite Challenges
Pakistan previously hosted the 2024 SCO Council of Heads of Government Summit in October, demonstrating its capacity to manage high-profile international events despite significant security and political challenges. The government declared a three-day national holiday for the 2024 summit, which focused on regional economic cooperation and connectivity.
The 2024 summit was considered “a really big deal” for Pakistan, according to South Asia expert Michael Kugelman, as it allowed the country to counter criticism about safety for foreign dignitaries. The event required extensive security arrangements, with troops deployed throughout Islamabad and hundreds of opposition supporters arrested to ensure stability.
Prime Minister Sharif used the 2024 platform to call for investing in the region’s collective capacity for connectivity, emphasizing Pakistan’s strategic position in regional trade networks. The success of that summit likely influenced the decision to award Pakistan hosting rights for the more prestigious 2027 Heads of State summit.
Strategic Significance and Economic Implications
SCO’s Growing Global Influence
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has evolved from six founding members in 2001 to a 26-nation family comprising 10 full members, two observers, and 14 dialogue partners spanning Asia, Europe, and Africa. With major powers including China, Russia, and India among its members, the SCO represents nearly half the world’s population and a quarter of the global economy.
The organization operates on “Shanghai Spirit” principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity, and pursuit of common development. This framework offers an alternative to Western-dominated multilateral institutions, positioning the SCO as a key platform for emerging economies.
Economic Opportunities and Challenges
Hosting the 2027 summit presents significant economic opportunities for Pakistan, including infrastructure development, tourism promotion, and enhanced international visibility. However, the country faces substantial macroeconomic challenges that could complicate preparations.
Pakistan’s current economic crisis requires achieving macroeconomic stability before it can effectively offer enhanced trade within the SCO framework. The country has been promoting the strategic port city of Gwadar, where China recently built a major airport, as a key connectivity hub for regional trade.
Chinese investment through the Belt and Road Initiative remains crucial for Pakistan’s infrastructure development, with tens of billions of dollars already committed to projects that could support the 2027 summit preparations. The government views the SCO summit as an opportunity to showcase these achievements and attract additional investment.
Security and Diplomatic Preparedness
The 2027 summit will require extensive security arrangements similar to those implemented for the 2024 event, particularly given Pakistan’s ongoing challenges with militant violence and political unrest. The government will need to demonstrate its ability to provide secure environments for high-level international delegations.
Diplomatic preparations have already begun, with Pakistan positioning itself as a bridge between major powers within the SCO framework. The country’s unique relationships with China, Russia, and other regional powers provide strategic advantages in facilitating multilateral cooperation.
The success of the 2027 summit will largely depend on Pakistan’s ability to complete infrastructure projects on schedule, maintain political stability, and address ongoing security concerns while showcasing its potential as a regional diplomatic hub.
