ISLAMABAD: Around 3000 personnel will perform security duties during the two-day visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman to Pakistan beginning from February 16, Islamabad police stated on Wednesday.
The Crown Prince is expected to stay at the Prime Minister House during his visit.
According to the security plan prepared by the police, security checkpoints will be established on the roads. All entry points of the federal capital will be checked in line with special arrangements during the two day presence of the Saudi Crown Prince in the country.
Most areas in the immediate vicinity of the Red Zone will remain closed and the Metro Bus will be limited to Rawalpindi only and its normal schedule will resume on February 18.
Law enforcement agencies will put in place deployments all along the twin cities and the traffic will be managed according to the plan issued by the traffic police. Entry of heavy traffic will not be allowed in specific times while small vehicles will be allowed to move on alternate routes due to the closure of some boulevards including Express Highway. Heavy traffic coming from Lahore would not be allowed to use Expressway and they will have to use the alternate route from Rawat T-Cross for Rawalpindi Saddar, GT Road, and Peshawar.
Heavy traffic coming from Peshawar would not be allowed to enter Islamabad as well as IJP Road and they would have to use the route from Chungi no.26, Meharabad to go towards Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Heavy traffic coming from Murree would be stopped at ‘17 Meel Toll Plaza’ while those coming from Kahuta Road will be diverted towards Rawat T-Cross from ‘Kak Bridge’. Expressway from Koral Chowk to Garden Chowk and Faisal Avenue till Rescue-15 U-Turn will remain closed in specific times.
Murree Road from Faizabad to Rawal Dam Chowk, Kashmir Chowk and Serena Hotel, Kashmir Highway from Peshawar More to Serena will remain closed. While Constitution Avenue from Radio Pakistan to Serena Hotel and Soharwardi Road from Embassy Road to Serena hotel will remain closed. Ataturk Road from Serena Hotel to NADRA Chowk will also remain closed for routine traffic operations.
It is recommended that citizens should have additional travel time in schedules due to disruptions throughout Islamabad and Rawalpindi for February 16 and 17. Citizens are also advised to minimize nonessential movement and maintain heightened vigilance.
Islamabad air space will be closed temporarily during the Saudi Crown Prince arrival and departure and people planning to travel through Islamabad Airport on February 16 and 17 should reconfirm flight itineraries. There may be temporary cellular network shutdown so recharge and top up your satellite handsets.
APP