RAWALPINDI: Security measures have been taken for the arrival of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman in Islamabad. The measures are being overseen by the army.

Airspace will be closed temporarily during the arrival and departure of the crown prince and people planning to travel through the Islamabad airport should reconfirm their flights before leaving their homes.

According to sources, the security measures put in place for the prince will be overseen by the army and the twin cities will be placed on high alert during his two-day stay in Islamabad on Feb 16 and 17.

People have been asked to minimise non-essential movements as law enforcement agencies will be maintaining heightened vigilance.

Cellular services may also be temporarily suspended.

People should keep their identification documents including CNICs, passports and visa copies with them as random checks will be conducted at check points.

Airspace to be temporarily closed, cellular service to be suspended

Check posts will be established on roads and checks will be made at all entry points of the federal capital via special arrangements during the prince’s two day stay in Islamabad.

Most areas in the immediate vicinity of the Red Zone will remain closed and the metro bus service will be limited to Rawalpindi. Hundreds of law enforcement officials will be deployed in the twin cities.

The entry of heavy vehicles will be banned at certain times while light vehicles will be allowed to move on alternate routes due to the closure of some roads including the Expressway.

Traffic from Rawat T-Chowk Cross will be diverted to Rawalpindi Saddar, G.T Road and Peshawar Road.

Heavy traffic from Peshawar will not be allowed to enter Islamabad or I.J Principal Road. Traffic will be diverted to alternate routes from Chungi No 26, Mehrabad to go towards Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Heavy traffic from Murree will be stopped at Satra Meel toll plaza while that coming from Kahuta Road will be diverted towards Rawat T-Chowk from Kak Bridge.

The Expressway will be closed from Koral Chowk to Garden Chowk and Faisal Avenue till the Rescue-15 U-turn at specific times.

Murree Road will be closed from Faizabad to Rawal Dam Chowk, at Kashmir Chowk and Serena Hotel as will the Kashmir Highway from Peshawar Mor to Serena Hotel.

Ataturk Avenue will be closed for routine traffic operations from Serena hotel to Nadra Chowk.

A stretch of two kilometres on Airport Road will be closed to traffic when the prince arrives at Nur Khan Airbase and 100 traffic wardens headed by Chief Traffic Officer Mohammad Bin Ashraf will be deployed to ensure smooth movement of the VVIP convoy.

A traffic police official said a traffic plan has been chalked out to ensure safe and secure movement of the VVIP convoy as that the old Airport Road will be closed for a minimum interval to avoid public inconvenience.

Other than army officers, an unspecified number of armed police units will be deployed and extra police have been called from other districts to assist the Islamabad and Rawalpindi police.

Bomb disposal experts will comb areas along the land route and sharp shooters will be deployed on roof tops of buildings in the twin cities.

“The authorities will be using a whole range of tactics to ensure tight security,” a security official told Dawn.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2019