ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has assumed the chair of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) body of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,(SCO) the foreign office announced on Wednesday, saying the role would allow Islamabad to foster regional cooperation against “terrorism.”
RATS SCO, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is a permanent organ of the SCO alliance which serves to promote cooperation among members states against “terrorism,” separatism, and extremism.
The foreign office said Islamabad assuming the counterterror body’s chair was a reflection of the confidence that SCO member states have in Pakistan’s efforts and contributions toward regional peace and security.
“In its capacity as the chair of SCO-RATS, Pakistan will work toward fostering regional cooperation against terrorism, in line with shared priorities, guided by the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, equality and shared responsibility,” the foreign office said.
It said as the body’s chair, Pakistan will host events on key domains such as cyber counterterrorism, information operations, border security, countering terrorist financing, and capacity-building to deepen collaboration.
Pakistan has frequently said it has lost 90,000 lives due to scores of militant attacks over the past couple of decades. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said earlier this month Islamabad has suffered economic losses worth $152 billion due to “terrorism.”
“As a frontline state in combating terrorism, Pakistan continues to make unparalleled sacrifices to ensure safety and security not only of its own people but the region and beyond,” the statement said.
“Pakistan will continue to work with international and regional partners to advance collective efforts against terrorism, in line with the principles of the SCO, international law and the United Nations Charter.”
The development takes place as Pakistan battles twin insurgencies in its northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and southwestern Balochistan provinces. Islamabad blames the Afghan government for not taking action against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, alleging frequently that they operate from Afghanistan’s territory. Kabul denies the allegations.
Pakistan also accuses India of arming and funding militant groups in Balochistan, where separatist militants demand independence from the state. New Delhi rejects the allegations and accuses Islamabad of fueling insurgency in the part of disputed Kashmir it administers.
