Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon on Sunday dismissed as fake on Sunday a notification announcing that all public and private offices in the federal capital and Rawalpindi would remain closed from April 20 until further notice.

In a social media post on X, Memon said, “Citizens are requested to refrain from sharing unverified or fake news. Please rely only on official handles of the district administration, Islamabad, for authentic updates.”

However, a late-night Cabinet Division notification said that all ministries, divisions and other federal government establishments located in Islamabad’s Red Zone should adopt a work-from-home arrangement on April 20.

“All officers and secretarial staff shall remain at the station and be prepared to attend office when required at a short notice,” the notification said.

Similarly, a notification by the Islamabad district magistrate said that entry into Red Zone would remain suspended on April 20, and in view of the development, all public and private offices and schools in the area “may adopt a work-from-home arrangement on the said date in order to avoid any inconvenience”.

Several other measures have also been taken ahead of a possible second round of talks 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.

Public and heavy transport are also suspended in Islamabad until further orders.

The Rawalpindi district administration also suspended all public and goods transport from Sunday noon till the next directives.

Advance teams have also started arriving in Islamabad, sources told Dawn.