The Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) has cancelled the Pakistan Security Dialogue 2026, scheduled for Islamabad on September 20 and 21. PIPS president Muhammad Amir Rana said visas for most foreign delegates had been revoked and Serena Hotel had withdrawn conference-related bookings citing security concerns.
The event, titled “Pakistan Security Dialogue 2026: Pathways to Regional Peace and Stability,” was expected to include participants from China, the United States, Bangladesh, Europe and other countries.
Rana said the organisers had received no written explanation. BBC Urdu reported a Serena Hotel manager as saying arrangements for guests could not be made under the current circumstances and that the decision was not the hotel’s alone.
Invitees included Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and former caretaker prime minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, alongside experts, journalists and political figures.
No Indian delegate was expected in person, while analyst Sudheendra Kulkarni had been due to address the event online.
Public reporting has not established a complete official explanation for the visa cancellations or security concerns. The stated reasons come from organisers and published reporting.