Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi discussed security arrangements for the expected second round of Islamabad Talks with the United States’ Charge d’Affaires to Pakistan, Natalie Baker, in the capital on Monday.
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that representatives from Washington were heading to Islamabad and they would be “there tomorrow evening” for a second round of negotiations with Iran, after the first round of talks hosted by Pakistan ended without an agreement.
A press release by the Ministry of Interior said that Naqvi arrived at the US Embassy in Islamabad’s Diplomatic Enclave, where he and Baker discussed in detail the regional situation and the promotion of Pakistan-US relations.
The interior minister informed Baker about the security arrangements made for the second round of the Islamabad Talks, saying that special security arrangements had been made for all special guests.
The ministry added that he was “praying for the success of the second round” of talks.
Meanwhile, the US envoy appreciated Pakistan’s sincere role in reducing tension in the region, the ministry added.
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Dr Usman Anwar, Islamabad’s Chief Commissioner Sohail Ashraf, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Nasir Rizvi and Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon were also present on the occasion, it said.
Baker and Naqvi had also met to discuss “foolproof” security measures on April 9, two days before the US delegation landed in Pakistan for the first round of talks.
Islamabad Police issue updated traffic plan
The Islamabad police issued an updated traffic plan ahead of the arrival of foreign delegations in the capital, announcing extensive road closures and diversions across key routes.
According to the plan, the Red Zone and Extended Red Zone will remain completely closed to all types of traffic. The Expressway from Koral to Zero Point will also be shut, while traffic on the Srinagar Highway may be suspended at various intervals.
Entry of heavy traffic into Islamabad from all directions will remain prohibited during the period, with authorities advising transporters to avoid travel towards the city to prevent inconvenience.
For city residents, alternative routes have been designated. Residents of G-5, G-6, G-7, F-6 and F-7 have been advised to use Ninth Avenue via Margalla Road for movement between Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Traffic from Faisal Avenue towards Zero Point will be diverted to Ninth Avenue.
In case of closure between Zero Point and Koral Chowk, commuters may use Ninth Avenue from Srinagar Highway, then proceed via Stadium Road, Murree Road, Chandni Chowk and Rawal Road to reach Koral.
If Park Road to Club Road is closed, traffic will be diverted towards Taramri Chowk. Residents travelling between Bara Kahu and Rawalpindi have been advised to use Korang Road and Bani Gala.
Similarly, commuters from Rawalpindi’s Saddar may use either Colonel Sher Khan Road to Faqir Appi Road or Ninth Avenue.
Heavy traffic between GT Road and Peshawar or Lahore will be routed via Taxila Motorway, Chakri Interchange, Chak Beli Road and Rawat GT Road, with reverse arrangements also in place.
The police have advised citizens to stay updated through their WhatsApp channel, social media pages and ITP FM 92.4.
Several motorways closed to public transport
Separately, various motorways leading to Islamabad from Lahore, Peshawar and Faisalabad were closed for public transport as part of security measures ahead of possible US-Iran talks in Islamabad.
However, the motorways remained open for those travelling by road in their personal vehicles, according to a spokesperson for the Lahore City district administration.
“Lahore-Islamabad motorway (M2) has been closed for public transport only for today in the wake of implementing instructions of the federal government authorities for the sake of ensuring foolproof security arrangements in Islamabad,” confirmed the spokesperson to Dawn.
“We have done this on the instructions of the federal government,” he reiterated, saying the development has been confirmed by the Lahore administration’s secretary, Road Transportation Authority.
According to another official, both M1 and M3 motorways from Lahore and Faisalabad, respectively, were also closed to public transport.
Security arrangements in Islamabad have kicked into overdrive to prepare for the potential second round of negotiations between the US and Iran, to be once again hosted in Islamabad.
Islamabad’s Red Zone was closed for traffic as the capital braced to welcome foreign delegations, police said on Sunday, with alternate traffic plans issued to facilitate citizens.
The historic first round of direct US-Iran talks, held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, ended without an agreement but also without a breakdown.
US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the talks days ago, but Washington and Tehran remain in a stand-off over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran again closed the strait on Saturday, saying it would not reopen the maritime trade route until the US ended its blockade of Iranian ports.
The two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, brokered on April 8 after over a month of conflict, is set to expire on April 22.
