RAWALPINDI: Officials have announced that marriage halls, restaurants, and cafes in Rawalpindi and Islamabad will be closed for five days, from October 12 to 16. This decision comes as part of enhanced security measures ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which is set to take place on October 15-16 in Islamabad.
The SCO summit will host nine full members, including China, India, Iran, and Russia. Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to arrive in the city prior to the meeting.
In preparation for the summit, local police have issued warnings to traders and hotel owners, emphasizing that any violations of the closure order will result in penalties.
To facilitate the smooth conduct of the summit, the government has also declared a three-day public holiday from October 14 to 16 in the twin cities.
Pakistan joined the SCO in June 2017, having previously held observer status from 2005 to 2017. Although Pakistan’s formal membership is relatively new, its ties with SCO member states have been longstanding, as noted by the Foreign Office.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, currently serving as the chair of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG), will preside over the upcoming CHG meeting during the summit.
Additionally, India’s Minister for External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, is confirmed to attend, although he will represent India instead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Notably, there are no bilateral meetings planned during Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan.
This strategic gathering highlights Pakistan’s active role within the SCO framework and its ongoing efforts to strengthen international cooperation.
