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The government has announced a three-day public holiday in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to ensure the smooth execution of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
As per a notification issued on Monday, all schools, colleges, and government offices in the twin cities will remain closed from October 14 to 16.
The move, approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is intended to facilitate the 23rd SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting, set to take place on October 15 and 16 in Islamabad.
Leaders from various Eurasian nations, including the prime ministers of Russia and China, are expected to attend the high-profile summit.
The gathering is seen as a pivotal moment for discussions on regional cooperation, economic development, and global security.
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will also be present, marking a significant moment as this will be the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly nine years.
The last such visit was made by Sushma Swaraj in December 2015, just before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unexpected stopover in Lahore.
Jaishankar’s presence at the summit is viewed as a key diplomatic gesture, raising hopes for improved regional dialogue despite long-standing tensions.
