Lockdown in Pakistan: Schools, colleges shut, marriage ceremonies banned; army on ground in Islamabad, normal life affected

The 23rd SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) begins today in Islamabad, Pakistan's capital. Owning to the summit, the Shehbaz Sharif government has placed stringent security measures in the capital city

Written by: Victor Dasgupta Edited by: Victor Dasgupta

Updated: October 16, 2024, 3:17 PM IST

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https://www.india.com/news/world/pakistan-lockdown-schools-colleges-shut-marriage-ceremonies-banned-army-on-ground-in-islamabad-normal-life-affected-7326766/ Copy

New Delhi: The 23rd SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) begins today in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. Owning to the summit, the Shehbaz Sharif government has placed stringent security measures in the capital city. The SCO summit will be attended by high-ranking foreign officials including India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar.

To safeguard the event, the Pakistan Army has been stationed at the summit site, key government buildings, and the Red Zone area.

Here are the precautionary measures implemented by the Pakistan Government:

• Pakistani rangers have been stationed throughout the capital
• Numerous businesses have been asked to place temporary shutdown to minimize security risks in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
• Key routes have also been closed.
• The government has notably deployed over 10,000 police
• Paramilitary personnel have been deployed to ensure the security of around 900 delegates expected to attend the event.
• The delegates will be accommodated in various locations within the capital’s ‘Red Zone’ or nearby, with 14 sites arranged for their stay.
• Motorcade of 124 vehicles has been organized to ease the transportation for guests
• 84 vehicles will accompany the heads of state, while 40 vehicles will serve the other delegates.

The participants are scheduled to arrive at the Jinnah Convention Centre on Wednesday morning, where they will be received by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. PM Shehbaz will give his opening remarks, which will be followed by statements from other member states.

EAM Jaishankar flags concerns over terrorism, extremism at SCO meet in Islamabad

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said cooperation in areas like trade, energy and connectivity is unlikely to flourish if activities across borders are characterised by terrorism, extremism and separatism. In his address at a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Jaishankar also asserted that cooperation must be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality and that it should recognise the territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations.

The external affairs minister led the Indian delegation at the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) summit in Islamabad which was chaired by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Jaishankar said trust was key for cooperation and the SCO member nations can benefit immensely if the grouping moves ahead collectively.

He said cooperation must be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality. “It should recognise territorial integrity and sovereignty. It must be built on genuine partnerships, not unilateral agendas. It cannot progress if we cherry-pick global practices, especially of trade and transit,” he said, in remarks seen as an indirect reference to China’s assertive behaviour on key issues.