By: Zaman Bajwa
TDV: Islamabad authorities on Sunday sealed off the Red Zone to regular traffic as the capital prepares to host visiting foreign delegations, police officials confirmed, issuing alternate routes to minimise disruption for residents.
In a statement shared on X, police said the Red Zone and its extended areas would remain fully closed to all types of traffic due to the high-level arrivals.
Officials added that the revised traffic arrangements have come into effect immediately and will stay in place until further notice.
Alternate Traffic Plan in Place
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) April 19, 2026
Due to the arrival of foreign delegations in Islamabad, Red Zone and Extended Red Zone will remain completely closed for all kinds of traffic.
Citizens are advised to use alternate routes and cooperate with traffic police to ensure smooth flow… pic.twitter.com/qHO8MI64pL
The Rawalpindi district administration also suspended all public and goods transport from Sunday noon till the next directives.
While the police statement did not specify which delegations are expected, the move comes as Islamabad gears up for a possible second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran.
However, no dates have officially been confirmed for the talks as yet.
Advance teams have also started arriving in Islamabad, sources told Dawn. The teams landed at the Nur Khan Airbase, they said.
Earlier, sources said that the teams would also put in place security measures for VVIPs in close coordination with the local authorities, including security forces. The managements of luxury hotels in Islamabad have reportedly been asked to have their premises vacated as well.
The Islamabad police and administration have asked the management of hotels, hostels, inns, and guest houses to close their premises and lock their buildings until further notice.
Security was on high alert in Rawalpindi on Saturday, with the deployment of over 10,000 police personnel.
As many as 400 elite commandos, including 100 snipers, will be part of the multi-layered security during the arrival and departure of the foreign delegations.
About 7,000 personnel of the Islamabad police and 4,000 of the Punjab police, along with 900 Federal Constabulary personnel, are available for security duty in the capital.
Earlier on Sunday, in a televised address, Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said there had been “progress” with Washington but signalled that a final peace deal was “far”.
Historic direct US-Iran talks held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12 had ended without an agreement, but also without a breakdown.
US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the talks days ago, but Washington and Tehran remain in a stand-off over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran again closed the strait on Saturday, saying it would not reopen the maritime trade route until the US ended its blockade of Iranian ports.
