Red Zone closed for all traffic due to foreign delegations’ arrival in Islamabad: police

Islamabad’s Red Zone area will remain closed for all kinds of traffic until further orders as foreign delegations were expected in the capital, the police said on Sunday.

“Due to the arrival of foreign delegations in Islamabad, Red Zone and Extended Red Zone will remain completely closed for all kinds of traffic,” the police said in a statement on X.

While the statement did not specify from where the delegations were expected, the move comes as the second round of talks between the US and Iran is expected to be held in Islamabad.

The Islamabad Police issued an alternate traffic plan for citizens, which it said will remain in place from today till further directives.

Earlier today, separate advance teams arrived in the capital, with Al Jazeera reporting that two US heavy airlift aircraft, C-17 Globemasters, landed at Noor Khan Airbase.

Murree Road, which links the twin cities, was also closed for traffic.

The Islamabad police and administration have asked the managements of hotels, hostels, inns and guest houses to close their premises and lock the buildings until further orders.

Public and heavy transport were suspended in Islamabad until further orders, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Irfan Nawaz Memon said.

The Rawalpindi district administration also suspended all public and goods transport from Sunday noon till the next directives.

More to follow