The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) said on Saturday that its offices in Islamabad would remain closed for three days in light of directives issued for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference.

PIA offices would be closed from October 14 to October 16, said a circular released by the national flag carrier. The closure is part of measures taken to ensure security and smooth operations during the international conference.

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.

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.

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

On Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over the preparations for the SCO summit.

His visit came after the PTI announced a protest on October 15 at the federal capital’s D-Chowk.

The circular added that the national flag carrier’s employees working shifts at the airport would continue their duties as usual. Moreover, access to the Red Zone of the federal capital would be restricted for the people from Saturday (today).

The federal government has announced a three-day ‘closed holiday’ in the twin cities on October 14, 15, and 16.