ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: The federal capital and its sister city, Rawalpindi, have entered a state of total security paralysis as a high-profile lockdown takes effect to facilitate the arrival of various foreign delegations.
In an effort to ensure the safety of international dignitaries, authorities have enforced a comprehensive two-day shutdown, resulting in the suspension of all public and private transport across primary arterial roads connecting the twin cities.
The scale of the closure is particularly felt on the routes originating from Kallar Syedan and Gujar Khan, where all vehicular movement has been halted. Security personnel have cleared all transport at the Chok Pindori junction, effectively sealing off the southern entrance to the metropolitan area. This disruption extends through several critical nodes, including the Rawat More and the Rewat T-Chowk, which serve as the primary gateways for traffic arriving from the Grand Trunk Road.
Further into the urban core, the gridlock intensifies with the complete suspension of traffic at Sowan Bridge, Kachehri Chowk, and Korangi Chowk. These closures have effectively severed the link between Rawalpindi’s central business districts and the capital’s administrative zones.
Even within Islamabad, pivotal transit points such as Zero Point and the Srinagar Highway have been barricaded, leaving the city’s usually bustling thoroughfares eerily vacant as part of the stringent security protocols.
For travelers attempting to reach the New Islamabad International Airport, the situation necessitates significant foresight and logistical adjustments. Temporary diversions are now active on all airport-bound routes. Residents of Gujar Khan, Kallar Syedan, Rawat, and Kahuta are urged to factor in at least a one-hour buffer for their journeys. Recommended alternative routes for those arriving from Kallar Syedan and Chak Beli involve navigating through village roads via Kilyam More and Sagri, eventually exiting near Adiala to bypass the primary blockades.
Similarly, commuters traveling from Kahuta, Kotli Sattian, or the Kashmir region are advised to redirect their path through Sowan and Bahria Town Phase 8, utilizing the Adiala village route to reach the airport facilities.
Local authorities have issued a stern advisory against unnecessary travel, emphasizing that these measures are essential to maintain order during the sensitive diplomatic window. Citizens are encouraged to remain at home where possible to avoid congestion and are reminded that emergency services can be reached via the 15 helpline should the need arise.
