Islamabad sealed tight for high-stakes US-Iran showdown
Capital sealed, Red Zone shut, and sweeping security measures enforced as Pakistan prepares to host critical negotiations
ISLAMABAD (MNTV) — Authorities in Islamabad have placed the city under an extensive security lockdown ahead of crucial talks between the United States and Iran, with strict restrictions imposed across the capital.
Public holidays have been declared in both Islamabad and Rawalpindi for Thursday and Friday, limiting movement as part of heightened security arrangements.
At the center of the operation, the high-security Red Zone has been completely sealed. A major hotel inside the zone has been cleared of guests and reserved exclusively for the visiting delegations, with heavy security deployed in surrounding areas.
Authorities have tightened control over entry points into the capital, with several routes closed and traffic diverted, particularly around key areas such as Faisal Avenue and Serena Chowk.
Officials say the scale of these measures is comparable to — or even exceeds — the security arrangements implemented during the 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, highlighting the importance of the upcoming negotiations.
Law enforcement agencies, including police and paramilitary forces, have been deployed in large numbers under strict operational protocols. Special routes are being prepared to ensure secure movement of delegations under full VVIP protection.
Emergency services remain operational, with hospitals and rescue teams placed on high alert and instructed to maintain readiness. However, several public services, including police facilitation centers, have been temporarily closed.
Security has also been intensified through intelligence-based operations across bus terminals such as Faizabad and Pirwadhai, as well as in nearby residential and wooded areas.
Public access to recreational sites has been restricted, with multiple hiking trails in the Margalla Hills, including those near Saidpur village, closed during the security period.
Government offices, including the Pakistan Secretariat, remain closed, with employees directed to work remotely and stay within the city.
Despite the restrictions, Excise and Taxation offices will remain open to facilitate motorcycle transfers as part of a government fuel subsidy initiative.
As Islamabad turns into a tightly controlled security zone, authorities are taking no chances, aiming to ensure that the high-stakes talks proceed without disruption amid a tense regional environment.
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