Order to close Marriage halls, cafes, and restaurants in twin cities for 5 days.

Marriage halls, restaurants, and cafes will remain closed for five days in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The decision to shut them down from October 12 to 16 was made in light of security measures being implemented ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, scheduled for October 15-16.

The meeting of the SCO, which comprises nine full members, including China, India, Iran and Russia is scheduled to take place in Islamabad.Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to arrive in the city.

Police have also issued notices to traders and hotel owners, warning that any violations will result in penalties.

The government has already declared a three day public holiday from October 14-16 in the twin cities to ensure the smooth conduct of the SCO summit.

Pakistan became a member of SCO in June 2017. From 2005 to 2017, it enjoyed the status of SCO Observer State. Pakistan’s association with SCO is relatively new, but its association with SCO Member States is longstanding, according to the Foreign Office.

In his capacity as the current chair of Council of Heads of Government (CHG), the second highest decision-making body of the SCO, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will preside over the upcoming CHG Meeting.

Meanwhile, Minister for External Affairs of India S Jaishankar will also participate in the summit, instead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, confirmed the Foreign Office.

However, no bilateral meetings are scheduled during his visit to the neighbouring nation.