New Delhi, India

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to arrive in Pakistan’s capital on Tuesday (Oct 15), just one day before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

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This visit is the first by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nine years, with the last visit by Sushma Swaraj in December 2015.

Despite no formal bilateral discussions being planned during the SCO event, media reports suggest that Jaishankar will attend the welcome dinner hosted by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ahead of the main summit scheduled for Wednesday.

The event will see participation from key regional figures, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

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When asked about Jaishankar’s visit, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, said, “I would like you to refer to the remarks made by the Indian Minister for External Affairs on 5th of October, in which he maintained that his visit was meant for a multilateral event and not for discussing Pakistan-India relations. These remarks are self-explanatory.”

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This aligns with Jaishankar's previous statement, in which he said that “he was not going there to discuss India-Pakistan relations."

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“I do want to say it will be for a multilateral event. I mean, I’m not going there to discuss India-Pakistan relations, I’m going there to be a good member of the SCO. But, you, know, because I’m a courteous and civil person, I will behave myself accordingly,” Jaishankar had stated.

Pakistan's 'comprehensive' security plan for SCO Summit: Complete lockdown; wedding halls, cafes to remain closed

The 23rd meeting of the heads of government of the SCO member states is set to be held in Islamabad on the 15th and 16th of October. Security measures have been significantly ramped up in preparation for the summit.

In a statement, Islamabad’s Inspector-General of Police, Nasir Ali Rizvi, mentioned that a “comprehensive” security plan had been devised for this crucial summit in the capital.

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In light of the event, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government has enforced tighter security throughout the country. Around 10,000 personnel, including soldiers and commandos from the Pakistan Army, have been stationed in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. A three-day public holiday has also been declared in Islamabad to ensure the safety of the delegates.

Reports indicate that local police and other security agencies will report directly to the military during this period. From 12th to 16th October, all wedding halls, cafes, restaurants, and snooker clubs in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been ordered to remain closed.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf threatened to hold protests during SCO Summit

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has threatened to hold a protest on 15th October, opposing the restrictions placed on their imprisoned leader Imran Khan, demanding that the government grant him access to his family, legal team, and doctor.

“Protests during nationally significant events do not send a positive message,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

(With inputs from agencies)