The traders and businessmen of Rawalpindi have shut down their shops across the city for three days in light of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting taking place in the federal capital, Islamabad.

The Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajiran announced the three-day closure of shops and businesses in Rawalpindi. This decision has been made to ensure smooth security arrangements during the event, which will host various foreign dignitaries.

While welcoming the foreign dignitaries coming to Pakistan, the business community has also assured the administration of its full cooperation in the security arrangements.

In a meeting held at Newtown Police Station, the president of the Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajiran, Shahid Ghafoor Piracha, and General Secretary Raja Tauheed, along with other trade officials, assured their full cooperation with local authorities.

Senior police officials, including Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani, the SSP operations, and Rawal Division SP, were present during the meeting, where they discussed the security measures for the SCO conference.

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The traders' representatives agreed to keep all shops and businesses across Rawalpindi closed during the duration of the SCO summit to enhance security. The CPO thanked the association for its cooperation, stressing that all preparations for the event are complete and foolproof security measures will be implemented to ensure the safety of both local and foreign participants.

As preparations intensify for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Islamabad, local authorities have beefed up security measures, issuing notices to traders across the capital. The police have ordered the closure of marriage halls, cafés, restaurants, and snooker clubs from October 12 to 16 to ensure smooth proceedings during the high-profile event.

The decision has been taken to enhance security and minimise public movement in sensitive areas. These notices were issued to the traders concerned by station house officers (SHOs) of various police stations. The police has emphasised that action will be taken against the businesses and traders not complying with the orders.

To further ensure compliance, the police has also demanded shorty bonds from traders as a commitment to uphold the order. Traders who fail to adhere to the directives face potential legal action.

The government has announced three public holidays in Islamabad and Rawalpindi from October 14 to 16 in connection with the 23rd meeting of the SCO, set to take place in the capital.