Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for the expansion of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to boost regional cooperation and connectivity. Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) heads of government meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, Sharif emphasized the importance of enhancing infrastructure to foster integration across the region.

"The Belt and Road Initiative of President Xi Jinping should be expanded to focus on developing road, rail, and digital infrastructure that will enhance cooperation and connectivity," Sharif said in his speech as chair of the SCO meeting.

The BRI, a $1 trillion global infrastructure and energy initiative launched by China a decade ago, aims to connect Asia, Africa, and Europe through land and maritime routes. While hailed for fostering economic development, the BRI has faced criticism, particularly from Western countries, which view it as a means for China to extend its geopolitical influence. Last year, the G7 introduced a $600 billion rival initiative aimed at building global infrastructure.

Sharif highlighted the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a critical part of the BRI, stating it has led to significant investments in Pakistan’s road networks, ports, and airports. He also underscored CPEC’s role in strengthening cooperation within the region. The SCO’s 10 full member states collectively represent 40% of the world's population.

The high-profile SCO meeting, hosted by Pakistan, has attracted representatives from 11 countries, including China, Russia, and India. Notably, seven prime ministers, including China’s Premier Li Qiang, are in attendance, making it one of the most significant international events held in Pakistan in recent years.

Sharif further emphasized the need for stability in Afghanistan, noting that peace in the region is essential for unlocking trade potential within the SCO. India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is also attending the meeting, marking the first visit by a senior Indian official to Pakistan in nearly a decade, despite ongoing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.