Metro bus service suspended in Islamabad and Rawalpindi for SCO summit

In preparation for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, the government has declared the closure of the Metro Bus Service in Islamabad and Rawalpindi during the meeting.

A Metro bus official has said that the district administration has directed the suspension of the bus services from October 14^th  to 17^th  but services will continue until October 13^th.

Residents are encouraged to plan their travel accordingly within this period as the region prepares for this crucial international event. This suspension is among the various measures aimed at guaranteeing the smooth and secure holding of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

The summit is planned for October 15^th  and 16^th and will be presided by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in Islamabad.

The event will host prominent heads of foreign states, including the prime ministers of the major regional partners, namely China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

In addition to this, it is expected that Iran, India, Mongolia, and Turkmenistan will be represented at the event. These efforts underscore the importance placed on creating a safe and well-organized environment for this significant international gathering.

Markets in Rawalpindi will also be shut down for three days during the summit. However, Section 144 has been imposed in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Karachi up to October 17 that banned political activities including gatherings and rallies, pillion riding, and the use of drones and laser lights.

Also, the federal government has announced a three-day public holiday for educational institutions in the federal capital from October 14^th  to 16^th.

On October 10, the authorities also said that marriage halls, restaurants, and cafes in Islamabad and Rawalpindi would remain shut from October 12^th  to 16^th. The traders and owners of hotels were given notices that any violation of the rule would attract certain penalties.