Islamabad on lockdown ahead of SCO Summit

Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, was under strict security lockdown as Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived on Monday for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) heads-of-government gathering, according to Reuters.

This is the first visit by a Chinese premier to Pakistan in 11 years, with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally receiving Premier Li at the airport.

The government declared a three-day public holiday in Islamabad, shutting down schools and businesses while deploying large contingents of police and paramilitary forces.

According to the interior ministry, the Pakistan army will oversee security in the capital’s Red Zone, where the parliament, diplomatic enclave, and most of the summit meetings are located.

Security concerns were heightened ahead of the SCO summit, especially after the killing of two Chinese engineers and the shooting deaths of 21 miners, as reported.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s call for a protest on October 15 has escalated tensions, with his supporters clashing with security forces, further adding to the instability.

The Pakistani government has restricted the movement of Chinese nationals in Islamabad, citing fears of separatist militant attacks targeting them.

The 23rd meeting of the SCO, comprising nine members including China, India, Iran, and Russia, is set to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday in Islamabad.

In addition to attending the SCO summit, Premier Li will also embark on a four-day bilateral visit to Pakistan. Discussions will focus on economic ties and cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $65 billion investment, while Li will also inaugurate the CPEC-funded Gwadar International Airport in Balochistan.

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