By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan deployed the army in Islamabad on Saturday to bolster security ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, as the country prepares to host foreign dignitaries, including India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, for the regional bloc’s meeting on Oct. 15-16.
“Pursuant to the request made by the Office of the Chief Commissioner, ICT [Islamabad Capital Territory] … the Federal Government, in the exercise of the powers conferred under Article 245 of Constitution, 1973, and under Sections 4 & 5 of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, is pleased to authorise the 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 order.
Pakistan, hosting the SCO Council of Heads of Government summit, expects discussions on trade, economic cooperation, security, and regional stability.
The army deployment, in addition to paramilitary Rangers and Frontier Constabulary personnel, will protect maintain law and order during the SCO summit. After the notification, Army units took over the security duties in Islamabad.
“The deployment had been completed, with army troops now stationed across the federal capital and surrounding areas,” an official said.
The decision to deploy the army comes amid recent protests by opposition political party in Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi. Police attempted to prevent a protest by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party near the parliament building on Friday.
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 stated 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.
The SCO is a pivotal Eurasian alliance that has been driving regional cooperation since its inception in 2001. Founded by China, Russia, and several Central Asian nations, the SCO has significantly expanded its membership over the years to include key players like India and Pakistan, solidifying its position as a major regional force.
Today, the SCO encompasses eight member states, with Iran joining in 2023 and Belarus in 2024, and boasts an impressive geographic scope, covering approximately 80 percent of the Eurasian area and 40 percent of the global population. Its combined GDP, based on purchasing power parity, accounts for around 32 percent of the world’s total, underscoring its substantial economic influence.
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