Pakistan assumes chair of SCO counter-terrorism committee

Pakistan has assumed the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), the Foreign Office said in a statement. In a statement, the FO described the development as a reflection of the confidence of SCO member states in Pakistan's efforts for regional peace and security, particularly its role in combating terrorism. RATS is a permanent organisation of SCO whose main task is to coordinate counterintelligence, counterterrorism and intelligence gathering efforts across member countries and advance cooperation on SCO initiatives.