Rawalpindi declares two-day public holiday in view of US-Iran talks

The Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi on Thursday announced a two-day public holiday on April 9 and 10, with all educational institutions and government offices to remain closed in line with measures taken in Islamabad. According to a notification issued by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi, Hassan Waqar Cheema, "declared a public holiday in the territorial jurisdiction of Rawalpindi District on April 9 and 10". "However, all emergency dealing departments, institutions, and authorities shall remain operational", further added. Furthermore, access to the Red Zone will be restricted, with only Margalla Road kept open for entry. Entry to the Serena Hotel will be permitted via Shahrahe-Dastoor, while private offices located within the Red Zone have also been instructed to remain closed. Read: Two days public holiday announced in Islamabad in view of US-Iran talks Traffic from Bhara Kahu will be diverted towards Bani Gala, while security at the Serena Hotel has been handed over to law enforcement agencies. In addition, several roads in Islamabad will remain closed at different times on April 9 and 10 due to the arrival of foreign delegations, a traffic police spokesperson said. Alternative routes have been provided for commuters. Travellers coming from Peshawar to Rawalpindi via GT Road have been advised to use Taxila Motorway, Chakri, Chak Beli Road and Rawat. Those travelling from Lahore to Peshawar should take Rawat, Chak Beli Road, Chakri and Taxila Motorway. Traffic from Margalla Road towards Rawalpindi will be diverted to 9th Avenue, while vehicles heading to Zero Point from Faisal Avenue will also be redirected to 9th Avenue. Commuters from Bhara Kahu to Rawalpindi have been instructed to use the Ring Road via Bani Gala and Tarlai Road. Those travelling from Rawalpindi to Islamabad via Saddar Murree Road should use 9th Avenue. The expressway from Zero Point to Koral Chowk will remain closed in both directions. Vehicles coming from Colonel Sher Khan Road towards Faizabad will be diverted via Stadium Road from the 9th Avenue signal. Heavy traffic travelling from Peshawar to Lahore will be routed via Taxila Motorway and Fateh Jang Motorway through Tarnol Phatak. Heavy vehicles from Lahore heading towards Islamabad and Rawalpindi will use Chak Beli Road to Chakri Motorway. Entry of all heavy traffic into Islamabad will remain banned until April 10, while all movement to and from the Red Zone will remain completely closed for the general public. Read more: Vance to lead US delegation to Islamabad for Iran talks on Saturday United States President Donald Trump is sending Vice President JD Vance and other negotiators to the Pakistani capital for talks with Iran that will begin on Saturday, the White House said. Trump "is dispatching his negotiating team led by the vice president of the United States, JD Vance, special envoy (Steve) Witkoff and Mr (Jared) Kushner to Islamabad for talks this weekend," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a news conference. With several of Iran's veteran political leaders killed in the war, Iran's delegation is expected to be led by the parliament speaker and former Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, with Foreign Minister ​Abbas Aragchi. Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before his 8pm deadline to destroy a “whole civilisation”, while responding to a high-stakes diplomatic effort from Pakistan to defuse tensions in the Middle East. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in an appeal to the US president, had urged all sides to pause hostilities for two weeks as backchannel efforts gathered momentum toward a potential negotiated settlement. Trump said the ceasefire agreement was made on the condition that Iran agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.