Islamabad has been experiencing unprecedented security preparations as law enforcement agencies tighten the security in the federal capital in view of the arrival of foreign delegations.
In the key checkpoints, police, Punjab Police, Rangers, Frontier Corps (FC) and other security personnel have been deployed and stringent screening and monitoring of movement is being done.
The authorities have fully blocked all the roads leading to the Red Zone, according to the officials.
The Expressway is completely closed to any kind of traffic between Koral and Zero Point which is a major inconvenience to commuters.
It has also been pointed out that Srinagar Highway can also be shut down at times according to the changing security conditions and the operational needs.
Besides this, traffic police have also banned the entry of heavy vehicles, commercial transport and public transport both in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
People in the areas G-5, G-6, G-7, F-5, F-6, and F-7 have been encouraged to use Margalla Road and Ninth Avenue to travel between Islamabad and Rawalpindi to avoid restricted areas.
Alternative traffic management plans have also been put in place. Traffic will be diverted to Club Road in case of the closure of Park Road and then diverted again to Tramri Chowk to keep the traffic flowing.
The police have advised commuters to use designated paths and to cooperate with the police to minimise inconvenience.
Although there are wide-ranging restrictions, traffic police made it clear that the Blue Area business district has not been completely closed down and some form of commercial activity is still possible.
In addition, every office and business centre outside the enlarged Red Zone are functioning as usual with no limitations.
According to the officials, these are short-term measures that were undertaken to guarantee the safety of the people and the law and order in the capital during a sensitive period.
It has been recommended that citizens need to be informed by keeping in touch with the official traffic advisories and schedule their travel plans to avoid delays and congestion.
Security arrangements have also been made in Rawalpindi. Transport from Kallar Syedan to Rawalpindi has been suspended. All vehicles at Chok Pindori have been cleared out.
All types of traffic have been suspended from:
- Rawalpindi Rawat Mor
- Rawat T-Chowk
- Sowan Bridge
- Kachehri Chowk
- Korangi Chowk
- Zero Point
- Srinagar Highway
Residents travelling to the airport from Gujar Khan, Kallar Syedan, Rawat, Kahuta and nearby areas are advised to leave at least one hour earlier than usual and use alternate routes to avoid delays.
People coming from Kallar Syedan, Gujar Khan, Rawat and Chak Beli Khan can head towards the airport through Kilyam Mor and Sagri, before exiting via the Adiala side.
Meanwhile, traffic arriving from Kahuta, Kotli Sattian and areas leading towards Kashmir can use the route through Sowan and Bahria Town Phase 8, then exit through Adiala village to reach the airport.
Also read: Islamabad-Rawalpindi public transport, heavy traffic suspended until further notice
