ISLAMABAD: In order to ensure the safety of approximately 900 delegates arriving in Islamabad for the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, which will take place on October 15 and 16, the federal government has set up more than 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel.
Police officials stated that paramilitary and police personnel were deployed to ensure the safety of delegations, routes, and locations during the high-profile Pakistani summit at the Jinnah Convention Centre.
Since 14 locations in the capital have been reserved for the delegates’ lodging, they will stay in a variety of locations within the “Red Zone” or nearby. Between October 13 and October 15, delegates from China, Russia, Tajikistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, and India will arrive and depart.
For the moot, the Indian foreign minister and vice president of Iran will also arrive in Islamabad.
124 vehicles planned for the motorcade; From October 13 to October 17, at least 6,643 officials of the capital police, 1,000 personnel of the Frontier Constabulary (FC), 2,000 personnel of the Punjab Constabulary, and 888 Rangers personnel will perform security duties in three tiers, according to police sources. The military will be of assistance to them.
With motorcades, 661 officials will carry out their duties: 2,358 people will be on the routes, 2,358 people will protect the lodging, 459 people will be at the conference location, 122 people will be in the inner and intermediate cordons, 222 people will be at various points in the high-security zone, 37 people will be in the parking area, and 72 people will be doing their jobs in the control room.
124 vehicles for delegates 84 vehicles will accompany the heads of state and 40 will accompany other delegates in the motorcade. From the airport to the high-security zone, the officers stated that 24 points on Route I and 19 points on Route II had been designated as sensitive. In addition, they mentioned that the funnel area contains 21 sensitive points.
Officials say that from the airport to the high-security zone, 24 points on Route-II are sensitive, and police officers assigned to protocol duties would be armed with SMGs.
Likewise, during the movement of VIPs on Routes I and II, six and four locations have been designated as “safe houses.” During the movement, 15 points on Route-I will be “plugged and blocked.”
It is expected of the Islamabad police, civil armed forces, and other law enforcement agencies to carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the “Blue Book” and any other applicable SOPs.
For the smooth movement of the delegations, the security in charge at the venue would collaborate closely with the management of the hotels, the Foreign Office, and others, according to the security plan.
In addition, the in-charge will oversee and instruct workers at entry points, rooftops, and pickets.
In addition, they will make certain that hotels and other tourist attractions do not employ armed private security guards.
Officials are not permitted to carry personal weapons, bags, digital devices, or mobile phones.
The cavalcade in charge will be in charge of parking in accordance with the security plan and checking cavalcade personnel’s participation.
All members of the cavalcade will be issued special cards, and the VVIP car will be in close proximity to the lead vehicle. As an outer cordon, the motorcade personnel will set up a standing guard on the VIP car to protect the four flanks in the event of an incident or outcry.
At the venue, the Special Branch will deploy officials to control access and install walkthrough gates. In addition, it will conduct background checks on the venue staff and VIP attendees of the events. In light of the current circumstance, all supervisory officers will prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the high-security area and surrounding the venue.
In the meantime, the Punjab government has instructed all of Rawalpindi’s government hospitals to remain on high alert. The Punjab Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department wrote to the hospitals in a letter that the federal government had asked them to make these arrangements ahead of the SCO.
Prior to the SCO moot, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi made separate visits to various parts of the city to examine the beautification campaign. In addition to removing obstructions from roads, he emphasized the need for thorough cleanliness, particularly along VIP routes and the Red Zone.
During the three days, the main markets in Rawalpindi, Raja Bazar, Moti Bazar, and Ganj Mandi, as well as the downtown city markets, will continue to be open in the garrison city.
However, the main and primary routes (Rawal Road to Koral Chowk) will be closed for three days for markets, schools, wedding halls, hotels, and hostels.
According to a security official, 3500 police officers will be stationed at Nur Khan Airbase, 900 officers will be stationed at Islamabad International Airport, and 700 traffic police officers will be assigned to ensure flawless security.
