The federal government has officially declared public holidays in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on the occasion of the upcoming 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting.

In a notification issued on Friday, it was confirmed that October 14, 15, and 16, 2024 (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) will be closed holidays in both regions.

The decision has been made to ensure smooth facilitation and security during the high-profile summit, which is set to host major foreign leaders, including Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, among other dignitaries. The holidays will help manage the logistics and arrangements for the event, as well as to minimize disruptions for the general public.

Earlier, the Prime Minister approved the declaration, stating, “The Prime Minister has been pleased to declare 14th, 15th, and 16th October, 2024 as closed holidays within the territorial limits of Islamabad Capital Territory and Rawalpindi District to facilitate the smooth conduct of the SCO Council of Heads of Government.”

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This official announcement comes after initial confusion caused by a fake notification circulating on social media. The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Islamabad had earlier dismissed the fake notification, which falsely claimed public holidays and restrictions in the city. The DC had clarified via a tweet that the notice was false and urged citizens to disregard the misinformation.

With the recent announcement, the public can now plan accordingly, as Islamabad prepares to host one of the year’s most significant international meetings.