Offices, schools move online as Red Zone sealed ahead of US-Iran talks | The Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD:

All public and private offices and schools within Islamabad’s Red Zone have been instructed to shift to online operations, while government work in the capital has been moved to remote working arrangements as authorities seal off entry to the area from Monday ahead of the expected next round of US-Iran talks in the federal capital.

According to an official notification, “all ministries, divisions and other federal government establishments located within the Red Zone, Islamabad, shall work from home on Monday, April 20.”

Pakistan took centre stage when it brokered a 14-day ceasefire between the US and Iran, followed by high-stakes talks in Islamabad attended by senior delegations from the two countries. Although the talks did not yield the desired results, the ceasefire remains intact, with confidence-building measures being pursued to secure a permanent truce.

A second round of talks is expected to be held in Islamabad, as US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that his representatives are set to arrive in Islamabad on Monday.

It added that “all officers and secretarial staff shall remain at the station and be prepared to attend office when required at short notice,” with the Cabinet Secretariat issuing the directive late Sunday night.

In a separate order issued by the Islamabad Capital Territory District Magistrate Irfan Nawaz Memon, the district administration announced that “entry into the Red Zone shall remain suspended on April 20, Monday,” requesting that “all offices and schools, public and private, situated in the Red Zone may adopt a work-from-home arrangement to avoid any inconvenience.”

An Islamabad Police spokesperson said that from April 20 until further notice, licencing services would continue only at Police Facilitation Centres in F-6, Gulberg Greens, and the Diplomatic Enclave, while operations at other centres, including the Faizabad Traffic Headquarters, would remain suspended.

Citizens have been advised to follow official advisories and stay updated through the Islamabad Traffic Police’s WhatsApp channel, social media platforms, and ITP FM 92.4.

On Sunday, Memon confirmed the suspension of heavy and public transport across the capital, saying all “heavy transport and public transport in the city are being suspended until further notice.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema issued a similar statement announcing that all private, public, and goods transport services in Rawalpindi have been suspended as a precautionary measure ahead of the upcoming talks.

The sweeping restrictions have disrupted daily life across the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, where public transport services were already suspended on Sunday, leaving passengers stranded. Travellers to and from other cities spent hours at bus terminals, while many turned to railway stations as an alternative.

Read More: Twin cities tighten security, suspend transport ahead of US-Iran talks

Railway services came under pressure due to the surge in demand, with heavy crowds reported at stations. The Karachi-to-Peshawar Khyber Mail was delayed by three hours, though passengers continued to arrive and wait in large numbers despite the disruption.

The Metro Bus Authority also said on Sunday that the Red Metro Bus Service operating in the twin cities has been completely suspended. The service will remain closed from Saddar Station in Rawalpindi to Pak Secretariat Station in Islamabad, and the suspension will remain in effect until further notice.

Authorities said the measures are part of comprehensive security arrangements in the federal capital amid the high-level talks, aimed at ensuring safety and maintaining order during the diplomatic engagement.

Security arrangements

Rawalpindi Police have been placed on high alert, with more than 10,000 personnel deployed across the city. Over 600 special pickets have been established, and strict monitoring is underway at all entry and exit points. Senior officers, including SSP Operations Malik Tariq Mehboob and divisional SPs, are overseeing field operations.

Security has been tightened in Islamabad, with police personnel barred from using mobile phones while on duty and required to wear anti-riot gear.

City Police Officer Khalid Hamdani is overseeing operations, with elite commandos, snipers and quick response units — including Elite Force and Dolphin Force — deployed. Around 18,000 personnel, including reinforcements from Punjab, are expected to take part.

Also Read: Universities shift online in Islamabad, Rawalpindi amid heightened security

Islamabad Police, Pakistan Rangers and the Frontier Corps will jointly man checkpoints.

Authorities have ordered that only properly identified personnel be allowed on duty routes, which will be kept clear during movements. Hostels, hotels and guest houses have been told to shut until further notice, with legal action warned for non-compliance, while the closure of seminaries near high-security areas is also under consideration.

Alternative traffic plan

Authorities said the Red Zone and Extended Red Zone will remain completely closed to all types of traffic. The Islamabad Expressway between Koral and Zero Point will also remain closed, while traffic on Srinagar Highway may be closed at intervals during the day. Residents have been urged to strictly follow the diversion plan in case of road closures.

Meanwhile, Islamabad Police has closed the entry at Jinnah Avenue near Khyber Plaza, while Club Road has been sealed from Kashmir Chowk.

Under the plan, residents of Sectors G-5, G-6, G-7, F-6 and F-7 can use Margalla Road and 9th Avenue for travel between Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Traffic coming from Faisal Avenue towards Zero Point will be diverted to 9th Avenue.

In case of closure between Zero Point and Koral Chowk, traffic will be diverted via Srinagar Highway to 9th Avenue, then through Stadium Road, Murree Road (Chandni Chowk) and Rawal Road towards Koral. If Park Road to Club Road is closed, traffic will be redirected towards Taramri Chowk.

Traffic police have been deployed at various points to assist citizens and manage traffic flow.