Pakistan is hosting the leaders from Russia, Iran, India, China and other regional nations on October 15 and 16 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) 23rd Council of Heads of Government (CHG) summit in Islamabad.
The meeting will bring together regional leaders to focus on strengthening collaboration in trade, economy, and cultural ties. SCO leaders will adopt important organizational decisions to enhance cooperation among member states and approve the inter-governmental body’s budget during the summit.
“Pakistan is all set to host the meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Islamabad on Tuesday and Wednesday,” state media announced.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will chair the CHG session and is expected to hold meetings with regional leaders on the sidelines of the event.
Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang arrived in Islamabad on Monday to attend the SCO meeting, marking the first time in 11 years that a Chinese premier visited the country. Qiang and Sharif oversaw the signing of several cooperation agreements with Pakistan on trade and investment and virtually inaugurated Gwadar International Airport.
Foreign leaders in Islamabad for SCO summit
Chinese Premier Li Qiang was the first to arrive in Islamabad on October 14 ahead of the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to be held in Islamabad from October 15 and 16.
Dignitaries have already arrived in Islamabad for the SCO summit, including Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, Belarus Prime Minister Roman Alexandrovich Golovchenko, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Zhaparov, Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, and Tajikistan Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda.
Additionally, Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rasit Meredow and Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar are present, with Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rashid Meredow also in attendance. Russian Premier Mikhail Mishustin is expected to arrive soon.
Mongolia’s prime minister will attend the event as an observer while the deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and the foreign minister of Turkmenistan has been invited as a special guest.
The SCO comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus — with 16 more countries affiliated as observers or “dialogue partners.”
The main SCO meeting will take place on Wednesday (October 16), Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to host a welcome dinner for delegates on Tuesday. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said Sharif will also hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines.
The SCO meeting is the highest-profile event hosted by Pakistan in recent years. Pakistan’s government has announced a three-day public holiday for Islamabad and the neighboring city of Rawalpindi from Monday to Wednesday (October 14-16), along with road closures to reduce movement around the area ahead of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Schools and businesses are shut in the city and large contingents of police and paramilitary forces are deployed.
Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has announced a detailed traffic management plan ahead of the SCO summit to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles during the event. The “red zone”, which houses the key government buildings, has been enhanced with neatly trimmed lawns bordered by razor wire.
Islamabad shines bright as SCO Summit set to kick off
Delegates from participating countries have already begun arriving in the capital, which has undergone a vibrant transformation. The city is adorned with colorful lights, floral displays, and flags and banners representing SCO member states, creating a warm welcome for the dignitaries.
Major intersections feature LED display screens, adding to the festive atmosphere with illuminated murals. Iconic landmarks across the city are also lit up with colorful lights and Pakistani flags, providing unique photo opportunities for citizens and ample content for social media enthusiasts.