OIC conference: Mobile services won't be suspended in Islamabad, says Sheikh Rashid

The government is making strict security arrangements for the upcoming OIC conference in Islamabad for which Saturday and Monday have been declared as local holidays in the federal capital but mobile phone services will remain intact, it emerged Friday.

Speaking to the media at the Safe City office today, Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said Interior Ministry, chief commissioner and police have decided that mobile phone services will not be blocked.

The minister said that security arrangements are being made in coordination with the military and other institutions.

He also apologised to the people for facing difficulties while travelling to the Red Zone area.

In a separate statement, DC Islamabad Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat announced that coming Monday and Saturday will be local holidays in the city for schools and private offices.

“Hiking trails in Margalla will stay closed. Metro stations (Pakistan Secretariat to Shaheed-e- Milat Secretariat) will stay closed till Monday,” he added.

‘Historic conference’

Highlighting the problems faced by the Afghans, Sheikh Rashid said Afghanistan is facing a humanitarian crisis and the OIC conference will play a historic role in extending assistance and giving the attention which Afghanistan deserves.

He added that all credit for holding the OIC’s extraordinary session went to the incumbent government, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“Earlier, almost 40 years ago, we [Pakistan] had hosted the OIC conference on Afghanistan, and now this initiative has been taken by the present government to discuss the humanitarian situation in the war-torn country.”

He said foolproof security arrangements had been made to ensure smooth conduct of the moot, being attended by the delegates and foreign ministers from 57 countries.

“Of course, Prime Minister Imran Khan will also address the OIC’s historic conference,” he said.