All cash-and-carry marts in the cities will remain closed
In preparation for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, significant security measures have been implemented in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Authorities have ordered the closure of restaurants, wedding halls, cafes, and snooker clubs from October 12 to 16, 2024.
This decision aims to ensure a secure environment during the summit, set to take place on October 15 and 16.
Station House Officers (SHOs) are actively collecting guarantee bonds from business owners.
All cash-and-carry marts in the cities will remain closed during this period.
Owners are being summoned to police stations to complete the necessary surety bonds.
In addition to the closures, suspects held at Adiala Jail will not be presented in court for five days.
The courts will reschedule important hearings after October 16.
The security personnel will also be increased, with commandos and sniper shooters deployed on the rooftops of multi-story buildings throughout the area.
Moreover, a complete ban on pigeon and kite flying has been enforced within a three-kilometre radius of Noor Khan Chaklala Airbase.
Authorities have already begun operations to remove pigeon nets from rooftops, with police officers assisting in the demolition of nets from 38 locations.
The District Officer for Civil Defence has assured that all areas will be cleared of pigeon nets by October 11.
To further facilitate the smooth organisation of the SCO summit, the government has declared a three-day public holiday in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, this includes the closure of all educational institutions and government offices from October 14 to 16.
However, the public has criticised the government’s decision to close businesses for the summit, saying it is an inconvenience for citizens.
A user commented: “Destroying people’s businesses for a summit.”
Another wrote: “Well done for announcing this only two days prior so people can plan accordingly.”
One questioned:
“Is it an SCO summit or a quarantine lockdown? What about those who booked wedding halls months ago?”
The SCO summit, chaired by Pakistan, is expected to attract various heads of state, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Notably, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar will make his first visit to Pakistan for the summit.
This will mark the first trip by an Indian foreign minister to the country in nearly nine years since Sushma Swaraj’s 2015 visit.
Founded in 2001, the SCO is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance that initially included China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Over the years, it has expanded to incorporate India, Pakistan, and Iran as full members, while Afghanistan, Belarus, and Mongolia hold observer status.
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