The federal government has announced a three-day ‘closed holiday’ in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, on October 14, 15, and 16, in view of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation being held late this month.

“The prime minister has been pleased to declare 14th, 15th, and 16th of October, 2024 [Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday] as closed holidays within the territorial limits of Islamabad Capital Territory and Rawalpindi district to facilitate the smooth conduct of the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Heads of Government,” said an official notification issued by the Cabinet Division Monday.

Pakistan is set to host a two-day SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad on October 15 and 16, with leaders from the bloc attending the event.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will also visit the country to participate in the summit.

The SCO, which includes India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, is a significant economic and security bloc that has become one of the largest trans-regional international organizations.

Within this important regional framework, both Pakistan and India have the opportunity to participate in summit meetings.

It will be the first trip by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade.

The government has already deployed army troops in the federal capital to maintain order ahead of the SCO summit.

“The exact area of deployment along with an additional number of troops, if the requirement arises, will be worked out by the ICT administration in consultation with the stakeholders concerned,” according to the order.