THE Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit is scheduled to be held in Islamabad soon (Oct 15-16). The special feature of the event is that it will be attended by an Indian delegation. It is unfortunate that there is still uncertainty about the security situation in the federal capital owing to the tactics adopted by the main opposition party in the country.

The party’s attitude is rather strange. As a mature entity, it should have itself announced holding back its protests. The delegates should be welcomed by the political leadership of Pakistan collectively as a mark of a united belief that the SCO is the forum that can play a strong role in fostering regional cooperation.

As things stand, Pakistan Army has been called to provide security to the participants of the SCO summit meeting, and to oversee the security of key government buildings in and around the Red Zone in Islamabad. One really fails to understand why the opposition party so poorly values the image of the country. The question does boggle the mind.

Awais Qarni
Kasur

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2024