CSS Pakistan Affairs | Has Pakistan Benefited Or Suffered From its Membership in the SCO?
The following question of CSS Pakistan Affairs is solved by Eman Ashraf under the supervision of Howfiv’s Pakistan Affairs and Current Affairs Coaches: Miss Iqra Ali and Sir Ammar Hashmi. She learnt how to attempt 20 marks question and essay writing from Sir Syed Kazim Ali, Pakistan’s best CSS and PMS English essay and precis teacher with the highest success rate of his students. This solved question is attempted on the pattern taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory and optional subjects for years.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-A Bird’s Eye view of Pakistan’s Involvement in SCO
3-How has SCO benefited Pakistan?
- Improved Ties with Russia
- Enhanced Regional Connectivity
- Pivot to Multipolar Diplomacy
- Economic cooperation
- Counter Terrorism and Security Cooperation
- Soft Power Expansion through SCO
4-Critical Analysis
5-Conclusion
Answer to question
Introduction
The establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a major international event in contemporary international political life. Twenty years after its establishment in June 2001,the SCO has become the largest and most populous regional cooperation organization in the world, covering three-fifths of the Eurasian continent and with a population of over three billion.The establishment of the SCO is of great significance to promoting peace and security, prosperity and development in Central Asia, Eurasia and the world at large.The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has offered multi dimensional benefits to Pakistan since it’s joining in 2017, which includes improved ties with Russia and Central Asian Republics (CSRs), Enhanced regional connectivity, Multi-polar Diplomacy, Economic and Security cooperation, and soft power expansion in international world.
A Bird’s Eye view of Pakistan’s Involvement in SCO
Pakistan has been actively participating in the SCO since becoming a Member. Even as an Observer, Pakistan attended majority of CHG and CHS meetings at the top leadership level demonstrating its commitment to the organization.SCO granted full membership to Pakistan in June 2017, marking an important milestone in its foreign policy. The accession was grounded on various motivating factors, including pursuit of security cooperation due to the hostile regional environment, economic development, and aspiration to consolidate relationships with the neighborhood.SCO offers huge opportunities to Pakistan to tap into the vast economic, trade, investment, energy, agricultural, industrial, services, tourism, and connectivity potential within the organization.
How has SCO benefited Pakistan?
SCO presents multi fold Opportunities and benefits for Pakistan such as security cooperation, regional connectivity, economic benefits, and soft power expansion in International world.
- Improved Ties with Russia
Pakistan’s relations with Russia have significantly improved since the end of cold war era and SCO has played a pivotal role in further enhancing the bilateral ties.The CHS, CHG, CFM as well as several other Ministerial and senior officials’ meetings under the SCO aegis every year provide useful opportunity to have leadership and function exchanges between Pakistan and Russia, which was not possible before the SCO membership. The two countries have found some convergences on geo-political and geo-economic plains.Russia, which, once considered Pakistan as staunch member of its rival alliances, is now amenable to explore mutually beneficial cooperation with Pakistan.The recent import of oil by Pakistan from Russia at less than open market price is expected to become a precursor for enhanced trade in energy, agriculture, engineering, manufacturing, and services sectors between the two countries.Common SCO membership would complement the trade and economic relations, enhancing confidence and reducing apprehensions in doing business.
- Enhanced Regional Connectivity
Development of connectivity is among the top priorities of Pakistan in the SCO’s context. Pakistan has actively participated in all the meetings to finalize the SCO Road Development Program. Pakistan’s proposal to connect Karachi and Gwadar to the six main routes of SCO, was accepted at the experts’ level meeting held in Beijing on 28-29 May 2018.Moreover, Pakistan is a source for major linkages to create connectivity among South Asia, Arabian Sea, Middle East and the Eurasian region.The landlocked Central Asian states have expressed keen interest in utilizing Pakistani Ports of Gwadar, and Karachi under CPEC for trade and connectivity. According to Brookings Institution,
“For Pakistan, SCO opens access to new markets, energy corridors, and trade routes, especially with Central Asia.”
This marks SCO’s significance for Pakistan.
- Pivot to Multipolar Diplomacy
Pakistan’s Foreign Policy leaned dominantly towards US in past, especially in cold war period and in post 9/11 period.The SCO offered a balanced approach for Pakistan by establishing ties with other powers like China, Russia, and Central Asian Republics.Hence, SCO has provided Pakistan with alternatives for Western lead institutions. According to Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,
“Pakistan’s inclusion in SCO represents a broader effort to diversify its foreign policy and assert greater strategic autonomy after years of imbalance in U.S.-centric relations.”
Moreover, unlike Western Institutions, SCO does not impose hard political and economic conditionalities on Pakistan, which avoids unnecessary democratic reforms in Pakistan’s foreign policy driven by west.However, through SCO, Pakistan actively participates in Eurasian politics, while keeping options to cooperate with west when beneficial such as IMF funding and trade with European Union.According to Centre for Strategic and International Studies,
“Strategic autonomy for Pakistan means aligning issue-wise: relying on China for infrastructure, engaging Russia on defense, and not closing doors to the U.S. and Gulf powers.”
- Economic cooperation
SCO has provided Pakistan with various economic and trade opportunities.The SCO’s membership has legitimized Pakistan’s economic cooperation with China under China Pakistan economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of BRI.Through SCO,Pakistan has opportunity to access larger markets in the economies of SCO member states (China, Russia, India, and the Central Asian republics). This diversification of export markets can assist Pakistan reduce its dependence only on existing trading partners. According to CSIS,
“SCO strengthens the institutional framework around CPEC by aligning Pakistan’s infrastructure investments with broader Eurasian connectivity.”
Moreover,Central Asia has rich energy resources especially gas, hydropower capacity, coal and uranium reservoirs. Kazakhstan has vast coal, uranium and gas reserves, Uzbekistan has abundant uranium whereas Turkmenistan (though not an SCO member) is a major natural gas exporter. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on the other hand hold significant hydropower resources.Pakistan is also engaged with TAPI and CASA-1000 projects within SCO mechanisms.Thus,Central Asia can play a valuable role to mitigate Pakistan’s impending energy crisis and even earn transit revenue by providing Southwards passage.
- Counter Terrorism and Security Cooperation
The SCO Defence Ministers meetings has helped in the development of interpersonal relations between the relevant interlocutors. Before the SCO membership Pakistan and SCO countries’ Defence Ministers and officials had much lesser interaction. A better appreciation of each other’s perspectives has been achieved through these interactions. SCO has certainly melted the ice and raised the comfort level of the relevant sides that would lead to greater bilateral defence cooperation. Counter Terrorism Military Exercises (CTMEs) are an integral part of SCO collaboration under the RATS. Pakistan has participated in the CTMEs hosted by SCO members except the one hosted by India in 2022. Pakistan also hosted a CMTE in 2021.The exercises were useful in the development of inter-military operability and learning diverse training regimes. In addition, Pakistan has an opportunity to share its own successful counter-terrorism experiences, involving planning and execution of intelligence-based operations, as well as large scale kinetic action against the terrorists. Pakistan also gets to benefit from the advanced electronic surveillance and technologybased intelligence deployed by China and Russia. These experiences would enable Pakistan to develop its own defence industry as well as collaborate with the SCO members.
- Soft Power Expansion through SCO
SCO has helped Pakistan in presenting its more constructive and soft image in the world.Since its participation in SCO, Pakistan has been a very active member participating in SCO multilateral forums, presenting itself as a responsible regional actor interested in regional stability and peace.A notable event was Pulwama attack 2019, when Pakistan and India’s bilateral ties deteriorated.Despite high level hostility, both countries had to attend same SCO platform.Pakistan’s then foreign minister met his counter parts from Russia,China and Central Asia, reinforcing Pakistan’s priority for regional peace and security. This neutralized India’s attempt to globally isolate Pakistan.According to Carnegie Endowment 2020, “Multilateral frameworks like SCO prevented India from pushing a hard line isolationist policy against Pakistan.”
Critical Analysis
Critically, SCO had a positive impact on Pakistan;yet, more ways can be explored to get the maximum benefit.Pakistan’s involvement in the SCO opens a way of availing significant opportunities for economic development by expanding market access, lowering trade barriers, attracting investments, and strengthening financial integration, Pakistan can secure long-term benefits that enhance its global competitiveness. However,a proactive approach with risk mitigation strategies is recommended for Pakistan to increase its in-house productivity, improve quality, and raise exports.By increasing trade, investment, energy cooperation, and security, the SCO can help Pakistan achieve regional integration and economic development. However, the full potential of the SCO will depend on the willingness of member countries to cooperate and implement the joint necessary workable policies.
Conclusion
As the SCO continues to expand its influence, Pakistan stands to gain substantial benefits in terms of economic integration, security cooperation, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. By actively participating and contributing to SCO’s initiatives, Pakistan can solidify its regional integration efforts and strengthen ties with key regional players. It is through proactive engagement within the SCO framework that Pakistan can realize its vision of a prosperous and peaceful region, benefiting not only its own citizens but also the broader SCO community.
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