ISLAMABAD, May 21: The Red Zone will be partially sealed during the presence of the Chinese premier in the capital, and the Pakistan Army would provide him security during his two-day visit to Islamabad starting Wednesday (today).

The Chinese Prime Minster Li Kegiang will address the Senate on Thursday (May 23) and is scheduled to breakfast with Nawaz Sharif (the prime minister in waiting). Mr Sharif will be arriving in Islamabad on Wednesday and will stay at the Punjab House.

A senior officer of the police said that on the request of the Chinese government, the main security for Mr Kegiang would be provided by the Pak-Army’s 111 Brigade, which is responsible for the inner most cordon.

The army personnel would also perform the duty on roads during the movement of the Chinese premier, and aerial vigilance would be conducted, the officer added. The army would secure the areas which the Chine premier would visit, and the police and rangers would also perform their duties.

As part of security arrangements, the Red Zone would be partially sealed at midnight, and separate teams of police, including the bomb disposal squad, would comb the green area along the Margalla Hills and the surrounding areas.

Patrolling in and around the area would be conducted, and a Quick Response Unit of the police and Rangers would be deployed at different localities. Furthermore, barricades would be set up at different roads leading to the Red Zone to keep a check on suspicious elements.

The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) have also chalked out a traffic plan to ensure smooth flow of traffic during the visit.

According to an ITP spokesman, an additional force of 264 officers will be deployed for this purpose, and 73 points have been identified where they would perform special duties.

Alternate routes have been designated for public convenience. Vehicles coming from Rawalpindi and the airport would approach Pak Secretariat via the 7th and 9th Avenues and the Margalla Road.

Similarly, the traffic coming from Rawal Dam and Murree would be routed to Dhokri Chowk‚ Kashmir Highway and then to the 7th Avenue‚ Embassy Road‚ Suharwardy Road and Blue Area

The Radio Pakistan Chowk and the Foreign Office Chowk would remain closed for traffic, the ITP spokesman added.