Islamabad (TDI): In view of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, the federal government has announced a three-day public holiday in Islamabad and Rawalpindi from October 14 to 16.
“The prime minister has been pleased to declare the 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 SCO Council of Heads of Government,” said an official notification issued by the Cabinet Division.
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.
Read More: Indian FM Jaishankar to Visit Pakistan for SCO Summit
Last week, India confirmed that External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation to Pakistan for the SCO summit. He, however, did not specify if he would meet any Pakistani leaders on the sidelines.
Last month, the Foreign Office of Pakistan had sent invitations for the upcoming SCO summit to all member country heads of government, including Indian PM Narendra Modi.
“We have also received some confirmations,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said then.
Pakistan will spend a hefty Rs1 billion on security and arrangements for the highest diplomatic event this year.
Read More: Naqvi Reviews Security Plans for SCO Summit
The Federal Cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has already approved the budget.
Meanwhile, the federal government has also approved the deployment of the Pakistan Army in the federal capital for the security of foreign dignitaries.
A notification issued from the Interior Ministry today said that the army will be deployed in Islamabad from October 5 to 17.
