Asian security group meets in Pakistan to discuss security and economic ties

Associated Press

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The leaders and officials from an Asian security group founded to counter Western alliances have met in Pakistan to discuss how to boost security cooperation and economic ties. Wednesday’s meeting of the heads of the council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began with opening remarks from Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of the host country, whose government is currently struggling against insurgencies and one of the country’s worst economic crises. The group was founded in 2001 by China and Russia to counter Western alliances. Other members include Iran, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.