The Foreign Office has issued guidance urging diplomats to limit their movements during the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled to take place in Islamabad on October 15-16.
The summit will host the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting, where significant foreign leaders, including Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, are expected to attend. This marks a pivotal event, highlighting Islamabad’s role in facilitating international dialogue.
To ensure security during the summit, the federal government has deployed troops from the Pakistan Army in the capital from October 5 to 17, acting under Article 245 of the Constitution. This move aims to maintain law and order as high-profile dignitaries arrive for the meeting.
In a communication directed to all resident diplomatic missions, United Nations agencies, and international organizations based in Islamabad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlined enhanced security measures designed to protect attendees. The ministry emphasized the need for diplomats to confine their activities primarily to the Diplomatic Enclave and Red Zone areas, thereby limiting their movements both within the city and beyond.
Additionally, diplomats were encouraged to stay informed about traffic conditions through daily updates provided by the Islamabad Traffic Police, which can be accessed via various platforms, including social media.
For assistance, the ministry has established a Control Room that operates 24/7 until the conclusion of the summit. Diplomatic missions can reach the Control Room at the following numbers: 051-9207301 and 051-9204374.
The Foreign Office expressed gratitude for the cooperation and understanding of all diplomatic missions, highlighting the importance of their support in ensuring a successful summit.
The SCO comprises member states including India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, functioning as a crucial multilateral platform for regional security and collaboration, particularly with Central Asian nations. Jaishankar’s upcoming visit is significant, as it will be the first time an Indian foreign minister has traveled to Pakistan in nearly a decade, underscoring the importance of this summit for diplomatic relations in the region.
