Islamabad Red Zone sealed as capital braces for second round of US-Iran talks

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: Authorities once again sealed Islamabad’s Red Zone and imposed sweeping security measures across the capital on Sunday as Pakistan prepares to host high-level talks between the United States and Iran, with foreign delegations already beginning to arrive.

Police announced that both the Red Zone and Extended Red Zone would remain completely closed to all traffic due to the arrival of foreign delegations. Public and heavy transport has also been suspended until further notice, according to Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon.

Advance teams from visiting countries have already landed at Nur Khan Airbase, where at least three US cargo planes arrived before personnel were moved to the High Security Zone under tight security arrangements.

The capital is now under a multi-layered security lockdown, with authorities implementing route closures, surveillance measures and extensive personnel deployment. Around 67 نقاط in and around the High Security Zone, including the Red Zone, have been sealed with barriers.

Luxury hotels in Islamabad have been cleared to accommodate foreign dignitaries, with managements instructed to vacate premises by Sunday afternoon to host VVIP delegates and their teams.

Security officials said a comprehensive plan had been enforced from April 19 onwards, including pickets, filtration points, dedicated routes, patrolling units, reserve forces and a striking force. Intelligence gathering has been assigned to the Special Branch, while bomb disposal squads are conducting technical sweeps and plainclothes personnel have been deployed for additional cover.

Strict operational protocols have been issued, including a ban on mobile phone use by on-duty personnel and mandatory anti-riot gear for all deployed staff.

Key routes from Koral to Faizabad and onwards to Faizia have been secured, with service roads cleared, markets and marriage halls shut, and parking banned along movement corridors. Rooftop surveillance has been established, with Rangers deployed at multiple high-rise points, including 33 locations on the east side and additional positions on the west.

Heavy deployments have also been made along green belts and main routes, with hundreds of personnel from police, Frontier Corps and riot management units stationed across key نقاط between Faizabad and Koral.

In Rawalpindi, a parallel security plan has been activated, with 2,800 police personnel, including 130 snipers, deployed on rooftops. The broader security grid includes over 10,000 personnel, among them 400 Elite Commandos, 100 sharpshooters, 4,000 Punjab Highway Patrol staff and 200 Dolphin Force officials.

Authorities said additional arrangements have been made for possible movements via Islamabad International Airport, with dedicated security for routes connecting the airport to the capital.

Traffic disruptions are expected during the movement of VVIP delegations, though officials said roads would only be blocked temporarily during convoys.

As part of heightened precautions, popular hiking spots — including Trail 2, 3, 4 and 5 and routes behind Saidpur village — have also been closed to the public until further notice.

The extraordinary security measures underscore the sensitivity and scale of the anticipated diplomatic engagement, as Islamabad positions itself at the centre of ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran.