ISLAMBAD, Pakistan: As Pakistan readies itself to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, authorities are implementing extensive security measures in the capital, Islamabad, in response to recent violence and political unrest.
The summit, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, will see senior officials, including Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, convene to discuss regional issues.
Heightened Security Concerns
In the lead-up to the summit, Pakistan has faced internal strife. Authorities have cracked down on dissent, recently banning an ethnic nationalist movement and introducing restrictive laws that limit protests in the capital.
The government has arrested hundreds of supporters of opposition leader Imran Khan, who remains jailed, especially those who attempted to demonstrate earlier this month.
The political landscape has been further complicated by a deadly attack on Chinese engineers in Karachi, raising security concerns in a nation where separatist groups often target Chinese nationals.
In a proactive measure, Islamabad has authorized the deployment of troops across the city for the summit’s duration. Security analyst Imtiaz Gul emphasizes the importance of these measures, noting that the government must ensure a peaceful summit to present a secure image of Pakistan to international attendees.
Significance of the SCO
The SCO, which comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus, serves as a platform for discussing regional security, trade, and humanitarian issues.
The summit is particularly significant given the current geopolitical climate, with China’s ambitions regarding Taiwan and Russia’s military actions in Ukraine leading to heightened tensions with the US and its allies.
Analysts suggest that the SCO offers a venue for these countries to assert their influence in a region increasingly wary of Western dominance.
While the summit is expected to focus on trade and cultural discussions, Pakistan’s domestic issues loom large. The potential for protests from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party raises alarms, particularly following previous demonstrations that led to significant disruptions in the capital. Minister Ahsan Iqbal has accused the PTI of attempting to present a negative image of Pakistan to the world, complicating the government’s efforts to showcase the country positively.
Preparations and Restrictions
To ensure security, authorities have declared a three-day public holiday for Islamabad and the neighboring city of Rawalpindi, implementing road closures and limiting movement around key areas. The government quarter hosting the summit has been fortified, with manicured lawns surrounded by razor wire.
With significant investments and infrastructure projects at stake, particularly from China, Pakistan is acutely aware of the need to protect its international relationships. As violence and militancy have surged since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, Pakistan faces growing challenges to maintain stability, making this summit a critical moment for both regional diplomacy and internal security.
