BEIJING: Defense Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan is scheduled to reach Beijing Monday on a two-day official visit to China to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ministers meeting.

Pakistan's defense minister along with other ministers are expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The group meeting will be held on 23 April.

Dastgir will meet Chinese defense minister Wei Fenghe to discuss bilateral issues and to further enhance defense collaboration between the two countries. He is also expected to meet other defense ministers of the SCO state members on 23 April, according to official sources here.

On 24 April, Defense minister is scheduled to pay tribute and laid flowers baskets to people’s heroes at Tiananmen Square memorial.

Khurram Dastgir is expected to attend ‘Peace Horn’ Military music festival at the Great Wall of China, where Pakistan’s tri- forces military band is also participating along with other SCO member states.

Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is also confirmed to attend the meeting.

Pakistan and India were recognized as full members of the SCO in 2017 at Astana summit. Afghanistan, Iran and Mongolia are SCO observer states whereas Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka are participating as dialogue partners.