• SCO national coordinators call on FM, stress practical cooperation ahead of 2027 summit
• Govt defends plan to procure 45 bulletproof vehicles for multilateral moot

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reviewed preparations for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to be held in the federal capital next year, as a delegation comprising SCO national coordinators and other officials called on him at the foreign ministry office on Wednesday.

FM Dar expressed satisfaction with the preparations and directed all departments to ensure close coordination, as he reviewed preparations for the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit in Islamabad in 2027, said a statement by the foreign ministry. Mr Dar also underscored Pakistan’s commitment to successfully hosting the SCO Summit and setting high standards as host of this important multilateral forum.

Meanwhile, the SCO national coordinators, who were in Islamabad for the first meeting of the Council of National Coordinators chaired by the national coordinator for Pakistan, called on Mr Dar at his office. The participating national coordinators reaffirmed their commitment to SCO goals and to advancing the objectives of the organisation through continued engagement and practical cooperation.

Govt defends vehicles

Meanwhile, the government defended its decision to purchase 45 bulletproof vehicles for SCO heads of state, saying it was necessary to purchase the vehicles for the safety of foreign dignitaries.

A Cabinet Division statement said the criticism seemed “to have missed the context and perspective of the purchase”. It said the government only had a few 2016 bulletproof vehicles, which were far below the standards required for the summit.

The decision to purchase 45 new vehicles was deliberated upon at several forums and the number was determined based on the bare minimum requirement, it said, adding that about 300 non-bulletproof vehicles would be rented.

It said the significance of the summit could not be “underestimated, trivialised or politicised”. “The summit would be attended by high-level foreign dignitaries, including heads of state, government and international organisations, which makes it imperative to ensure safe, secure and reliable logistics, well-aligned with the parameters defined as standard security protocols.”

It added that ensuring the protection of the visitors “becomes all the more critical keeping in view Pakistan’s security paradigm, in particular the threats posed by hostile external elements”.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2026