ISLAMABAD: The provincial government in Pakistan’s Punjab province has summoned army to ensure security ahead of a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Islamabad on October 15 and 16, the Punjab home department said, hours after deployment of army troops in the federal capital of Islamabad.
The SCO is an important Eurasian political, economic and security alliance founded in 2001 by China, Russia and several Central Asian nations. Over the years, it expanded to include countries like India and Pakistan, making it a significant regional bloc.
Pakistan is hosting the SCO Council of Heads of Government summit in Islamabad under its rotating chairmanship of the organization, with the participants expected to discuss issues related to trade, economic cooperation, security, and regional stability.
Among other international leaders, Pakistan also extended invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though the delegation from New Delhi will be spearheaded by External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
“For maintaining law and order and providing security to foreign delegates during 23rd meeting of SCO Council of Heads of States, armed forces in conjunction with civil armed forces and police will be deployed around the air base/airport, routes, venues, accommodation etc. falling within the territorial jurisdiction of the Punjab,” the provincial home department said in a notification.
The notification by the Punjab home department came after the federal government deployed army troops in Islamabad to ensure security ahead of the SCO summit, with foreign dignitaries arriving from various countries.
“Pursuant to the request made by the Office of the Chief Commissioner, ICT [Islamabad Capital Territory] ... the Federal Government, in exercise of the powers conferred under Article 245 of Constitution, 1973, and under Sections 4 & 5 of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, is pleased to authorize deployment of requisite strength of Pakistan Army in aid of civil power from 5th to 17th October, 2024, in ICT, for maintaining law and order situation with respect to 23rd meeting of SCO Council of Heads of Government and visits of VVIP delegation for the said meeting,” the interior ministry announced in an order on Friday.
Television footage showed vehicles of Pakistan Army patrolling various areas of the federal capital on Saturday morning as the government’s order came into effect.
Article 245 allows the government to call in the armed forces to act in aid of the civilian administration.
“The validity of any direction issued by the Federal Government under clause (1) shall not be called in question in any court,” it reads. “A High Court shall not exercise any jurisdiction under Article 199 in relation to any area in which the Armed Forces of Pakistan are, for the time being, acting in aid of civil power in pursuance of Article 245.”
Section 4 of the ATA allows for the deployment of armed forces in any area, while Section 5 allows the use of “necessary force” to prevent any “terrorist acts or scheduled offenses.”
The decision comes at a time when Islamabad and the nearby city of Rawalpindi have witnessed protests by various political actors in recent months.
The police also attempted to prevent a protest by former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party near the parliament building on Friday, blocking highways and suspending cellphone services in the capital.
The government maintained it was not the time for protests as state guests were visiting Islamabad, making it crucial to ensure their safety.
The interior ministry also said in its order that the exact area of deployment, along with the number of additional troops if required, would be worked out by the capital territory administration in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Government deploys army in Islamabad, Punjab to ensure security of SCO summit
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Government deploys army in Islamabad, Punjab to ensure security of SCO summit
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit is scheduled to be held on October 15 and 16
- The decision comes at a time when Islamabad, nearby areas have witnessed political protests
Pakistan PM to attend World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Switzerland next month
- The WEF meeting, scheduled to be held in Davos on Jan. 19-23, will focus on global challenges, public-private dialogue and cooperation
- Government, business, civil society and academia leaders will engage in forward-looking discussions to address these issues, set priorities
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Switzerland next month to attend the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Pakistani state media reported on Monday.
The WEF annual meeting, themed as ‘A Spirit of Dialogue,’ will be held from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23 in Davos, where world leaders from government, business, civil society and academia will engage in forward-looking discussions to address global issues and set priorities.
Prime Minister Sharif is expected to interact with global leaders and investors on economic challenges, regional and international issues and various opportunities for cooperation.
On Monday, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar presided over a meeting in Islamabad to oversee preparations for Sharif’s upcoming visit to Switzerland to attend the WEF meeting, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Dar instructed to maximize the engagements with the incoming Heads of States, Governments and senior leadership of economic, business and financial institutions,” the report read.
The WEF meeting program will be structured around key global challenges where public-private dialogue and cooperation, involving all stakeholders, is necessary for progress, according to the WEF website.
In addressing these challenges, growth, resilience and innovation will serve as cross-cutting imperatives, guiding how leaders engage with today’s complexity and pursue tomorrow’s opportunities.
Pakistani foreign ministry officials briefed the deputy PM about preparations for the WEF meeting, according to Radio Pakistan. The participants of Monday’s meeting in Islamabad discussed in detail the bilateral component and media engagements during the visit.
“He [Dar] further stressed that opportunities be explored to foster collaboration with private sector business entities,” the state broadcaster said.
