Lockdown in Pakistan: Schools, colleges shut down, ban on marriages due to…

The Shehbaz Sharif- Pakistan government has decided to deploy the army for security during the upcoming SCO summit in Islamabad.

Written by: Victor Dasgupta Edited by: Victor Dasgupta

Published: October 14, 2024, 9:44 AM IST

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https://www.india.com/news/world/lockdown-in-pakistan-schools-colleges-shut-down-ban-on-marriages-due-to-shehbaz-sharif-jaishankar-india-china-sco-summit-7321029/ Copy

Islamabad: The Shehbaz Sharif- Pakistan government has decided to deploy the army for security during the upcoming SCO summit in Islamabad. The grand summit will be held on October 15 and 16. Several key leaders including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend the summit.

The government in Pakistan has decided to place security in Islamabad and Rawalpindi under military control owing to the recent terrorist attacks and political protests by the supporters of Imran Khan’s party.

Pakistan Government on High Alert:

• Around 10,000 soldiers and commandos from the Pakistan Army have been deployed in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
• According to the reports, the local police and other security forces will now take orders directly from the military.
• From October 12 to 16, wedding halls, cafes, restaurants, and snooker clubs were ordered to close in both cities.
• The government has issued a strain warning. The traders and hotel owners have been warned of legal consequences if they do not comply.
• Business owners will have to fill bail bonds ensuring that no outsiders are staying in their establishments.
• Public holidays have been declared in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on October 14 and 16.

It is important to note that despite these measures, Imran Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party plans to hold protests, raising concerns of potential clashes between demonstrators and the military.

What is SCO Summit?

The 23rd meeting of the heads of government of the SCO member states is set to take place in Islamabad on 15 and 16 October. As foreign delegations started arriving on Sunday, a 76-member Russian delegation and seven representatives of the SCO reached the country.

A four-member official delegation of India also arrived in Pakistan, Geo News reported quoting airport sources. A 15-member delegation from China, a 4-member delegation from Kyrgyzstan and a two-member delegation from Iran also reached Islamabad.