ISLAMABAD: Pakistan chaired and hosted the 12th meeting of the heads of border services of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) competent authorities on Friday in Islamabad.
Representatives and heads of border services from Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan took part in the meeting, along with the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.
According to the Foreign Office, participants shared information and assessments on the current situation along the international borders of SCO member states, while also discussing development trends and forecasts for the region. The group reviewed and approved the outcomes of the “Solidarity-2025” joint border operation, which was carried out by border services from across SCO member states.
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Twelfth Meeting of Heads of Border Services of the Competent Authorities of the SCO Member States Held in Islamabad
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 17, 2026
Members also approved a plan for the upcoming “Solidarity-2026” joint border operation and backed a proposal for Tajikistan to host the joint operation in 2027. Officials said the discussions held during the meeting would help strengthen cooperation among member states border services while boosting both security and mutual trust along shared borders.
Iran’s border guard commander, Brigadier General Ali Akbar Javidan, who led Tehran’s delegation, told ISNA on the sidelines of the meeting that Iran is interested in expanding cooperation with SCO member states. He said Iran hopes to strengthen collaboration in several areas, including security cooperation, information sharing, and joint efforts to combat drug trafficking, organized crime, and smuggling.
SCO originally established in 2001 as a security cooperation group, the SCO has since grown into a broader platform focused on trade and economic development across the region. The organization currently includes 10 member states, Pakistan, Iran, China, , Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, India and Uzbekistan, along with two observer states, Afghanistan and Mongolia.
In June, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to what’s often called the “Shanghai spirit,” calling for a coordinated strategy among SCO members to address terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and terror financing. Pakistan is scheduled to take over the chairmanship of the SCO Council of heads of state in September this year and will also host next year’s summit for the council.
