Capital to shut businesses for SCO summit

Local administration collecting surety bonds from traders to ensure compliance

RAWALPINDI:

Preparations for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit are in full swing, with the Islamabad district administration and police taking stringent security measures to ensure a smooth event.

All public gatherings and businesses, including 27,000 restaurants, 3,100 wedding halls, 5,000 cash and carry marts and 8,000 snooker clubs will remain closed from October 12 to 16.

To guarantee compliance, the Station House Officers (SHOs) have begun collecting surety bonds from owners, with some being called to the police station to fill out bonds. Additionally, the judiciary has also adjusted its schedule, postponing court hearings for important cases until after October 16. The accused will not be presented in the courts for five days from Adiala Jail.

Moreover, to bolster security, commandos, and sniper shooters will be strategically positioned on the rooftops of multi-storied buildings across the city.

Authorities have issued a stern warning to shopkeepers and marriage hall owners not to defy the five-day ban and otherwise face the consequences. Anyone found violating this ban will have cases registered against them, and their establishments will be sealed. To ensure compliance, the police will conduct regular checks during this period.

On the other hand, the owners of hotels, restaurants and wedding halls have strongly condemned the ban, pointing out that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, such drastic measures weren't taken. They emphasised the need for authorized parcel services.

Trader Haji Ibrahim has denounced the restrictions, saying they're economically suffocating the people. He urged the authorities to lift these restrictions.

Meanwhile, security is being beefed up across the city. For five days, police and security agencies will conduct daily flag marches on major roads, including Islamabad Expressway, IG Principal Road, Murree Road, Rawal Road, and Airport Road. Internet and mobile services may also experience slowdowns during this time.

 

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Traders assure cooperation

our correspondent

RAWALPINDI. Traders in Rawalpindi assured on Thursday the police authorities of full cooperation regarding the security of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

Rawalpindi City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani met with a delegation of the Anjuman-e-Tajiran to seek traders' cooperation. The traders led by the Anjuman-e-Tajiran president Shahid Ghafoor Paracha assured that they would close their businesses during the international event.

The meeting took place in the Newtown police station, which covers the famous commercial hub, Commercial Market, and adjacent areas.

The CPO held a detailed discussion with the traders regarding the security arrangements for the SCO moot. Paracha said the business community welcomed foreign guests to Pakistan. "We have unanimously agreed to close shops or businesses throughout the city for security arrangements for three days for the sake of Pakistan," he said.

The delegates expressed their support for the government and administration for the country's development and success. The city police chief thanked the delegates and other officials for their full cooperation, saying the integrity, development, and prosperity of the homeland were of utmost importance.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi police have already initiated a process of obtaining surety bonds from hotels, restaurants, cafes, snooker clubs and markets situated in different areas including the Pothohar division.