On Friday, the federal government sanctioned the deployment of Pakistan Army troops in Islamabad, invoking Article 245 of the Constitution to ensure law and order during the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, set to take place on October 15-16.
According to the official statement, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration, in coordination with relevant authorities, will decide the specific areas for troop deployment and assess the need for additional forces if required.
The military presence will be in place from October 5 to 17 to assist in maintaining public security during the event.
India’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will attend the summit, although it remains unclear whether he will hold any meetings with Pakistani officials.
In preparation for the high-profile event, Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi presided over a meeting on Wednesday to finalize a comprehensive security strategy.
Naqvi highlighted the significance of the SCO summit, noting that numerous international leaders will attend, which he described as a prestigious moment for Pakistan.
The minister also announced the deployment of additional security personnel, including the Pakistan Army, Rangers, Border Force, and Punjab Police, to ensure the safety of all attendees and participants.
