Pakistan Imposes Strict Security Measures as Chinese Premier Li Qiang Arrives for Visit and SCO Summit

 

Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, has been placed under tight security as Chinese Premier Li Qiang begins a four-day visit, coinciding with a regional summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). This marks the first visit by a Chinese premier to Pakistan in 11 years. Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, personally welcomed Premier Li upon his arrival at the airport.

The SCO summit, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, will see participation from nine full member countries, including China, India, Iran, and Russia. The SCO, established in 2001 by China and Russia, focuses on addressing security issues in Central Asia and the broader region. Other attendees include the prime ministers of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as Iran’s vice president and India’s external affairs minister, according to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

To ensure maximum security during the summit, the Pakistani government has declared a public holiday in Islamabad for three days, starting Monday. Schools and businesses are closed, and large contingents of police and paramilitary forces are stationed throughout the city. Security will be especially tight around the Red Zone, which houses the parliament and diplomatic missions, as well as the venue for most of the summit's meetings. Pakistani soldiers will manage the security in this area.

Tensions are running high as supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, have threatened protests in Islamabad on Tuesday. They are demanding that Khan's family, lawyers, and doctors be allowed to visit him in prison. Earlier this month, PTI supporters clashed with security forces during protests in Islamabad, calling for Khan’s release.

Adding to the security concerns, Pakistan has restricted the movement of Chinese nationals in the capital due to potential threats from armed groups. Recently, two Chinese nationals were killed in an attack near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, an incident claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army, a separatist group. This issue is expected to be discussed during talks between Premier Li and Prime Minister Sharif, along with economic and trade relations under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative, part of China's Belt and Road Initiative. The $65 billion CPEC project has been a focal point in the strengthening of bilateral ties.

Li is also expected to inaugurate the CPEC-funded Gwadar International Airport in Balochistan, a region that borders Afghanistan and Iran. The airport is seen as a key project in enhancing infrastructure and trade connectivity between the two nations.