ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan is all set to host Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) 23rd Heads of Government Summit on October 15 and 16 in the federal capital.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Jinnah Convention Center on Saturday to review preparations for the SCO Summit while CDA chairman and officials of Foreign Office briefed him on arrangements. According to Foreign Office spokesperson, PM Shehbaz will preside over the SCO Council of the Heads of Government meeting in his capacity as the current Chair.
The SCO member states will be represented by the prime ministers of China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The First Vice President of Iran and External Affairs Minister of India will arrive in Pakistan to attend the SCO Summit. The prime minister of Mongolia will attend the summit as an observer, and deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and foreign minister of Turkmenistan as a special guest.
Prime Minister Shehbaz will also hold bilateral meetings with visiting heads of delegations on the side-lines of the summit.
The SCO summit will discuss ongoing cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, environment, socio-cultural linkages and review the performance of the organisation.
THE SCO
AFP adds: The SCO comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus -- with 16 more countries affiliated as observers or "dialogue partners".
All visiting member nations are expected to send government heads apart from Pakistan's arch-rival India, who will dispatch its foreign minister in a rare visit to its neighbour.
The SCO is sometimes touted as an alternative to the Western-dominated NATO military alliance.
As China's claim over Taiwan and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have seen them clash with the US and Europe, analysts say the SCO is one forum where they are trying to curry regional influence.
While the SCO has a mandate to discuss security, the Islamabad summit is due to focus on trade, humanitarian and cultural issues.
PROTEST THREAT
Pakistan's domestic concerns are likely to dominate the sidelines of the summit, however.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has threatened to stage protests, a week after scattered demonstrations by supporters saw the capital locked down for three days with mobile phone signal cut and exit and entry points blocked.
"The PTI doesn't want to showcase the positive side of Pakistan to the world," accused Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, minister for planning, during a press conference Saturday.
"Instead, they aim to present a picture of the country filled with tear gas and unrest."
Authorities have declared a three-day public holiday for Islamabad and the neighbouring city of Rawalpindi starting Monday, along with road closures to reduce movement around the area.
The "red zone" government quarter hosting the summit meanwhile has been spruced up with manicured lawns ringed by razor wire.
Cash-strapped Pakistan is particularly at pains to protect citizens from China because it is a major investor, sending funds and staff for million-dollar infrastructure projects.
Pakistan is grappling with a broad uptick in militancy coinciding with the Taliban's 2021 return to power in neighbouring Afghanistan, where Islamabad claims attackers are now taking shelter.
SECURITY BEEFED UP
Meanwhile, strict security arrangements have been made in the capital for the SCO conference with deployment of army troops.
The administration has decided to suspend the metro bus service in the twin cities from October 14 to 17.
Islamabad police, in the meantime, issued a plan for traffic coming to the capital through GT Road from Peshawar and Lahore.
The traffic coming from Margalla Road to Rawalpindi will be diverted to Ninth Avenue, traffic from Faisal Avenue to Zero Point will be diverted to Ninth Avenue, and those coming from Rawalpindi to Islamabad should use Ninth Avenue from Saddar Murree Road.
According to the traffic plan, the expressway from zero point Faisal Avenue to Coral Chowk will be closed for all incoming traffic. All types of heavy traffic has been banned in Islamabad from October 14 to 16.