Business Recorder
ISLAMABAD: The federal capital was placed on high alert on Saturday for the third consecutive day, with the Red Zone completely sealed off, major traffic disruptions reported, and key roads in Islamabad and Rawalpindi remained blocked to ensure the security of visiting US and Iranian delegations for high-staked peace talks. The Red Zone has been extended from Third Avenue to Faisal Avenue and from Margalla Road to Srinagar Highway, with heavy deployment of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) across all sensitive areas. According to police sources, more than 18,000 personnel from the Pakistan Army, Rangers, Frontier Constabulary, Islamabad Capital Police, Punjab Police, Islamabad Traffic Police, Punjab Traffic Police, and National Highways and Motorway Police have been deployed in and around the Red Zone, adjoining areas, and routes leading to it. Army, Islamabad Police, and Traffic Police personnel have also been stationed along both sides of the routes from Islamabad International Airport and Nur Khan Airbase to the Red Zone. The army has assumed overall security control of the Red Zone, while additional personnel have been deployed at key government installations. Capital and Punjab police have also been positioned within the high-security zone. Security personnel have been deployed at all buildings in the Red Zone, with contingents of the Quick Response Force stationed at different locations. Troops have also been deployed in the Margalla Hills. Specialized units, including Islamabad Police commandos, female officers, mobile patrol teams, the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), and Bomb Disposal Squads (BDS), have also been deployed at multiple locations. Islamabad Traffic Police have issued an advisory announcing multiple road closures and traffic diversions across key arteries of the federal capital due to security reasons. According to the advisory, diversions have been implemented on Islamabad Expressway and Srinagar Highway. Traffic from Murree Road towards Club Road and the Red Zone is being redirected through alternative routes. Authorities have also confirmed that the entry of all public transport vehicles has been banned on these major roads. Transporters have been instructed not to park or stop buses at bus stops or designated loops along these routes. The Red Zone and Extended Red Zone remain completely closed to all types of traffic. Roads closed for traffic include Kashmir Chowk (Club Road side) towards Zero Point and Srinagar Highway; Srinagar Highway from Zero Point towards Serena Chowk; Shakarparian Road from Chand Tara Chowk towards Seventh Avenue; Jinnah Avenue from Khayaban Chowk towards Blue Area; and Margalla Road from Faisal Chowk towards Trail 3. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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