Islamabad in focus as top leaders due for SCO summit

**ISLAMABAD:** Pakistan is set to host a major diplomatic event as the high-level meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) kicks off in the capital tomorrow (Wednesday).  

The summit will gather top leaders from around eight countries, including two global nuclear powers—China and Russia—underscoring the geopolitical importance of the event.  

Comprehensive security measures have been implemented with coordination among the Army, Rangers, Frontier Corps, and provincial police. In preparation for the summit, several business centres, wedding halls, gyms, markets, and key roads along the routes of the visiting dignitaries will remain closed from October 12 to 16.  

Additionally, authorities have banned heavy traffic across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and the Metro bus service will be suspended from October 14 to 16 for security purposes.  

The city is adorned with vibrant decorations, preparing to welcome high-profile guests, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang, a key regional ally of Pakistan. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will also attend the summit, accompanied by a large delegation.  

Sources from the Foreign Ministry indicate that both Li Qiang and Mishustin will hold separate meetings with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss critical regional security and cooperation issues.  

In addition to the summit’s formal agenda, elaborate luncheons and dinners will honor the visiting dignitaries, further emphasizing the importance of Pakistan's diplomatic ties with these nations.  

Premier Li Qiang’s visit will span four days, divided into two phases. The first phase will focus on SCO activities, while the latter part will include efforts to enhance bilateral relations through the signing of key agreements aimed at strengthening economic and infrastructure cooperation between China and Pakistan.  

The summit will also welcome several other prominent leaders, including:  
- **Kazakhstan:** Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov  
- **India:** External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar  
- **Iran:** First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref  
- **Kyrgyzstan:** Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov  
- **Tajikistan:** Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda  
- **Uzbekistan:** Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov  
- **Mongolia:** Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai  
- **Turkmenistan:** Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Rashid Meredov  

Additionally, key officials such as SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming, Executive Committee Director Arslan Murzikhov, Business Council Chairman Atif Ikram Sheikh, and Interbank Consortium Chairman Marat Elybayev will engage in discussions focusing on fostering economic cooperation and addressing pressing regional challenges.  

With the commencement of the summit, global attention turns to Islamabad, as the outcomes of this significant diplomatic convergence are expected to shape future regional collaboration.