ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office has announced that all diplomats are encouraged to limit their movements during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, scheduled for October 15-16 in Islamabad. This request comes as the government has instituted heightened security measures to ensure the safety of foreign dignitaries attending the event.
The SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting will welcome prominent leaders, including Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, marking the first visit by an Indian foreign minister in nearly a decade.
To maintain law and order during the summit, the federal government has deployed troops from the Pakistan Army in Islamabad from October 5 to 17, under Article 245 of the Constitution.
In a letter to all resident diplomatic missions, UN agencies, and international organizations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlined the security enhancements put in place for the safety of incoming dignitaries and the overall success of the summit.
The ministry has advised diplomats to primarily confine their activities to the Diplomatic Enclave and Red Zone areas. They are also encouraged to follow daily traffic updates provided by Islamabad Traffic Police, available through various communication channels, including social media.
For any assistance, the Ministry has provided a 24/7 control room contact number: 051-9207301 or 051-9204374.
The Ministry expresses gratitude for the understanding and cooperation of all diplomatic missions and looks forward to their continued support in ensuring the summit’s success.
The SCO, which includes India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, serves as a vital platform for regional security and collaboration among Central Asian nations.
