Islamabad — Pakistan assumes chairmanship of Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO-RATS) for the 2025–26 term, the Foreign Office announced in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the development reflects “the confidence of SCO member states in Pakistan’s dedicated efforts and contributions towards regional peace and security, particularly in combating terrorism.”

The statement noted that, in its new capacity, Pakistan would work towards fostering regional cooperation against terrorism “in line with shared priorities, guided by the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, equality, and shared responsibility.” Islamabad is expected to host a series of events and activities across key domains, including cyber counter-terrorism, information operations, border security, countering terrorist financing, and capacity-building.

“As a frontline state in combating terrorism, Pakistan continues to make unparalleled sacrifices to ensure the safety and security not only of its own people but the region and beyond,” the Foreign Office added.

Regional Counterterrorism Role

Officials highlighted that Pakistan’s chairmanship of SCO-RATS will strengthen coordination on intelligence sharing and joint counterterrorism responses among SCO member states. Given its strategic location and proximity to Afghanistan, Pakistan’s leadership role is seen as critical to regional stability and counterterrorism cooperation.

SCO-RATS: Background and Functions

The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure was established in 2002 and became operational in 2004 as a permanent body within the SCO framework. Headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, it coordinates intelligence and law enforcement cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism.

The body maintains a consolidated database of extremist groups and individuals, hosts joint antiterror exercises such as the biennial “Peace Mission,” and serves as a platform for coordination against terrorism-related threats. Its Executive Committee is overseen by a director appointed for a three-year term by the SCO Council of Heads of State.

Expanding International Roles

Pakistan’s Foreign Office also pointed to the country’s wider international responsibilities in counterterrorism and regional cooperation. As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025–26 term, Pakistan has been entrusted with “key responsibilities in the counterterrorism domain, among others.”

The country currently chairs the UN Security Council’s 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee and serves as Vice Chair of the 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee. In July, it also held the rotating presidency of the Security Council for the eighth time, while continuing to chair the SCO Council of Heads of Government, a position it has occupied since October 2023.

Looking Ahead

The Foreign Office said Pakistan would “continue to work with international and regional partners to advance collective efforts against terrorism, in line with the principles of the SCO, international law, and the United Nations Charter.”

With the assumption of the SCO-RATS chairmanship, Islamabad is set to play a leading role in coordinating regional counterterrorism cooperation, intelligence sharing and joint strategies across South and Central Asia over the next two years.