Metro Bus Service in twin cities to remain suspended amid SCO Summit
Pakistan
Metro Bus service will remain operational on October 13, today
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Metro Bus Service would be suspended in twin cities, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi amid Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit (SCO).
On the direction of district administration, the bus service would not be operationalised from October 14 to 17.
However, the metro bus service would run as usual till October 13.
It is pertinent to note that Pakistan is all set to organise SCO Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad from October 15, to 16.
THE SCO
AFP adds: The SCO comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus -- with 16 more countries affiliated as observers or "dialogue partners".
All visiting member nations are expected to send government heads apart from Pakistan's arch-rival India, who will dispatch its foreign minister in a rare visit to its neighbour.
The SCO is sometimes touted as an alternative to the Western-dominated NATO military alliance.
As China's claim over Taiwan and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have seen them clash with the US and Europe, analysts say the SCO is one forum where they are trying to curry regional influence.
While the SCO has a mandate to discuss security, the Islamabad summit is due to focus on trade, humanitarian and cultural issues.
PROTEST THREAT
Pakistan's domestic concerns are likely to dominate the sidelines of the summit, however.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has threatened to stage protests, a week after scattered demonstrations by supporters saw the capital locked down for three days with mobile phone signal cut and exit and entry points blocked.
The PTI core committee decided that if a meeting with the founder took place by October 14, the protest would be postponed. However, if no meeting was arranged, a significant protest would proceed on October 15.
"The PTI doesn't want to showcase the positive side of Pakistan to the world," accused Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, minister for planning, during a press conference Saturday.
"Instead, they aim to present a picture of the country filled with tear gas and unrest."
Authorities have declared a three-day public holiday for Islamabad and the neighbouring city of Rawalpindi starting Monday, along with road closures to reduce movement around the area.
