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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan, from October 15th to 16th, 2024, has been met with heightened security measures. This high-profile international event comes amidst a backdrop of increased terrorist attacks in Pakistan and ongoing protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who threaten to disrupt public order. The summit aims to foster cooperation among member states in various fields, including economy, trade, and environment.
The two-day meeting, the 23rd SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG), will see the participation of several prominent leaders, including India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and the Prime Ministers of China and Russia. The CHG meeting will focus on reviewing the SCO's performance and making decisions to enhance cooperation among member states. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his role as the current Chair of the CHG, will preside over the event. The meeting will be attended by representatives from various member states, including the Prime Ministers of China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as the First Vice President of Iran. Observers and special guests will also participate, including the Prime Minister of Mongolia and the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Ministers of Turkmenistan.
To ensure the safety and security of the summit, Pakistan has deployed police, paramilitary rangers, and army troops throughout Islamabad. Authorities have imposed a ban on all political gatherings and protests during this period. However, tensions remain high due to the PTI's threat of a demonstration at the D-Chowk, demanding the release of their leader and other party members. The government has warned of a strict response to any protests, but behind-the-scenes efforts are underway to appease the party and prevent the demonstration. There have been reports that the government may allow PTI chairman Gohar Khan and a team of lawyers to meet with Imran Khan to address the party's demands.
The summit has also been marked by the arrival of Chinese Premier Li Qiang for a four-day visit to Pakistan. Li's visit, his first to Pakistan in 11 years, comes at a sensitive time, following recent attacks on Chinese nationals working on infrastructure projects in Pakistan. The visit underscores the strategic importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries. Premier Li's agenda includes attending the SCO summit, holding bilateral meetings with Pakistani leaders, and discussing various aspects of the relationship, including economic and trade ties, and cooperation under the CPEC. Li's presence at the summit and his discussions with Pakistan's leaders are expected to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Source: Security measures tighten as Pakistan set to host high-profile SCO meet from October 15