Pakistan to shut Islamabad amid security threats over upcoming SCO Summit

As Pakistan is all set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Islamabad, the authorities planned to shut down the capital to ensure the safety and security of the high-profile attendees.
In a rare move, the Pakistan government gave Islamabad's security responsibility to the Army due to growing concerns over terrorist activities and protests by the opposition party led by Imran Khan.
To facilitate the safety and protection of the delegates attending the summit, the federal government has announced a three-day holiday in Islamabad starting from October 14, Dawn newspaper reported.
"Strict orders have been issued for cafes, restaurants, snooker clubs, and wedding halls in the area to remain shut."
The two-day conference, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, will see the participation of senior regional government officials, including "foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang."
Over 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed to secure the approximately 900 delegates arriving in Islamabad for the 23rd SCO summit on October 15 and 16, as per Dawn news.
Additionally, the government has deployed army troops under Article 245 of the Constitution to bolster security measures in the capital from October 5 to 17.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by Imran Khan, has threatened protests during the summit. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Pakistan's minister for planning, accused the PTI of trying to disrupt the event, stating, "The PTI doesn't want to showcase the positive side of Pakistan to the world. Instead, they aim to present a picture of the country filled with tear gas and unrest."
In a related development, the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 in the Rawalpindi district for eight days, from October 10 to 17, citing the arrival of foreign dignitaries at PAF Base Nur Khan, Rawalpindi, and New Islamabad International Airport for the SCO Summit. The order prohibits all political assemblies, rallies, sit-ins, and similar activities during this period.