Red Zone sealed again ahead of possible Islamabad Talks 2.0

ISLAMABAD, RAWALPINDI: Islamabad’s Red Zone was closed to the public as the capital braces to welcome foreign delegations for expected talks between the US and Iran, police said on Sunday, with alternate traffic plans issued to facilitate citizens.

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

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

Advance teams have also started arriving in Islamabad, sources told Dawn. The teams landed at Nur Khan Airbase, they said. At least three cargo planes of the US landed there, and later the teams were transported to the High Security Zone under tight security.

Security tightened across capital with route closures and multi-layer deployment

The managements of luxury hotels in Islamabad have been asked to have their premises vacated for foreign VVIPs, delegates and their teams. In response, the hotel managements asked their guests to vacate the hotels by Sunday 3pm.

Sources close to security said a security plan was made for the delegates, including establishing pickets, filtration points, routes, patrolling, reserves and a striking force in this regard. It has been put in place from April 19 till further orders.

It was intimated that foreign VVIP delegations will visit Islamabad and stay at hotels.

The AIG Special Branch was asked to depute staff for the collection of advance intelligence, besides the bomb disposal squad for technical sweeping and officials in plainclothes for security.

It will ensure that officers and officials shall not use mobile phones while on duty, ensure deployment as per the security order, and that all personnel are properly equipped with anti-riot gear, including anti-riot suits.

About 67 points in and around the High Security Zone, including the Red Zone, are being closed with barriers.

The inner security cordon, including route lining across the route length, will be covered by the security division. From Koral to Faizabad (Service Road Westside) and from Faizabad to Faizia (Service Road Eastside), clearance and security of service roads and streets, closure of markets, marriage halls and shops have been ensured.

No vehicle will be allowed to park along the route. Patrolling at service roads and rooftop duties from Koral to Faizabad have also been planned. Armed Rangers will be deployed at high-rise buildings at three points on the west side and at 33 points on the east side.

A team of 300 personnel each from capital police, FC and riot management police has been deployed at the green belts on the west and east sides of the route from Faizabad to Koral. Likewise, a team of 150 personnel each of police, FC and RMP has also been deployed from Faizabad to both sides of the HSZ.

Besides, Rangers have also been deployed on the rooftops of 33 buildings located from Zero Point to Aabpara Chowk and Murree Road. Police deployments have also been made at 14 bridges, loops and pedestrian crossings on the Expressway.

Rawalpindi police have devised a separate security plan under which 2,800 police personnel, including 130 snipers, will be deployed on building rooftops.

Earlier on Sunday, security was ramped up in Rawalpindi, involving the deployment of thousands of police personnel, including 400 Elite Commandos, 100 well-trained sharpshooters, 4,000 personnel of the Punjab Highway Patrol (PHP) and 200 well-equipped personnel of the Dolphin Force to ensure foolproof security for the arrival of foreign VVIP delegations for the second round of high-level US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad.

As part of the tightened security, 400 Elite Commandos, including 100 snipers, will be part of a multi-layered security arrangement to ensure foolproof security.

A senior police official told Dawn that some members of high-profile foreign delegations could use

Islamabad International Airport for arrival or departure on Monday or Tuesday.

Therefore, a separate security plan has been chalked out to ensure their safety, with well-trained police

personnel to be deployed along the route from the airport to the federal capital.

A police spokesman had earlier said that more than 10,000 police personnel, including 400 commandos and 100 snipers, will perform security duty from April 18 and 19, 2026 till further orders on the arrival of foreign delegations at Nur Khan Base Chaklala before moving to Islamabad.

A senior traffic police official said traffic will be blocked only during the movement of VVIP delegations arriving at Nur Khan Base Chaklala.

Meanwhile, the capital administration closed trail 2, 3, 4 and 5 along with the trail behind Saidpur village from April 20 till further orders for the public.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2026