ISLAMABAD: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) Council on Monday approved a joint counterterrorism exercise for 2027, as Pakistan concluded its chairmanship of the body.
Pakistan successfully hosted the 46th Meeting of the Council of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the SCO in Islamabad, marking the successful conclusion of its chairmanship, the Foreign Office said.
The meeting reflected Pakistan’s commitment and contributions to strengthening the SCO RATS and advancing collective efforts against terrorism, separatism and extremism.
“Pakistan successfully hosted the 46th Meeting of the Council of the Regional Anti Terrorism Structure (RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Islamabad, today marking the successful conclusion of its chairmanship,” the Foreign Office said in a post on X.
It said Pakistan’s chairmanship reflected its commitment and contributions to strengthening the SCO RATS and advancing collective efforts against terrorism, separatism and extremism.
Islamabad also congratulated Moscow on assuming the next RATS chairmanship.
The meeting agreed on further practical cooperation against terrorism, including a joint counterterrorism exercise in 2027 and a joint information operation.
The SCO members also agreed to hold a practical seminar on preventing the use of the Internet for terrorism, separatism and extremism, according to details of the meeting.
The conclusion of Pakistan’s RATS chairmanship comes as the country continues its broader SCO chairmanship for 2026-27, which Pakistan formally assumed at the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek earlier this month.
Pakistan is preparing to host the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit in Islamabad in 2027, with the government reviewing arrangements covering the venue, accommodation, security, finance, media management, transport and logistics for the high-level event.
The preparations also extend beyond the summit itself, with Lahore designated as the SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital for 2026-27. Pakistan is planning a year-long calendar of cultural activities in Lahore, alongside major programs in Islamabad and Karachi, to highlight the country’s heritage and strengthen people-to-people links among SCO member states.
Pakistan’s broader SCO chairmanship is being conducted under the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity.” Its priorities include regional peace and stability, economic cooperation and connectivity, trade and investment, energy, innovation, transport, counterterrorism and socio-cultural cooperation.
The 2027 summit will provide a major platform for Pakistan to advance these priorities and showcase its role within the regional organization.
The Islamabad meeting marked the conclusion of Pakistan’s tenure as chair of the RATS mechanism, with Russia assuming the chairmanship.