BISHKEK: A formal session of the 19th meeting of the Council of the Heads of State of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has started in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Prime Minister Imran Khan is representing Pakistan in the moot. Other leaders of the SCO member and observer states as well as representatives of important international organizations are attending the meeting.

The Council of Heads of State is the highest forum of the SCO which considers and defines strategy, prospects and priorities of the organisation.

Imran Khan had on Thursday arrived in Kyrgyzstan to attend the SCO meeting.

He is accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Special Assistant Usman Dar.

The prime minister will address two sessions of the SCO moot, Radio Pakistan had reported.

A number of decisions will be approved by the leaders, besides signing of agreements to intensify cooperation in diverse fields.

PM Imran Khan will also meet other participating leaders on the sidelines of the forum.          

The leaders of SCO member and observer states as well as representatives of important international organizations will attend the meeting.

Since becoming an SCO member in 2017, Pakistan has been actively participating at all levels in various SCO mechanisms, including foreign affairs, defence, national security, economy and trade, science and technology and innovation, youth and women empowerment, tourism  and media.