Across Asia: Pakistan

Shanghai entry sought

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is seeking his country's accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) regional security bloc, Pakistani media said yesterday. Pakistan, as well as Iran, India and Mongolia, have observer status in the SCO regional security group that comprises Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Zardari explained the membership was important due to the spreading threat of extremism and terrorism.