Only essential goods exempt as twin cities on high alert

Published April 25, 2026
Traffic congestion is seen on Islamabad Expressway due to road closures in view of security restrictions, as the capital prepares to host US and Iran for the second phase of peace talks.—Reuters
Traffic congestion is seen on Islamabad Expressway due to road closures in view of security restrictions, as the capital prepares to host US and Iran for the second phase of peace talks.—Reuters

ISLAMABAD: The district administr­ation on Friday announced that vehicles carrying petroleum products, food items and medicines had been given special permission to ply, in the wake of security measures due to the arrival of the foreign delegates in connection with US-Iran talks.

Islamabad’s Deputy Com­­missioner Irfan Memon in a statement said the administration was in contact with distributors of food items, vegetables, fruits, the Drug Regu­latory Authority, pharmaceutical companies and petrol pump owners.

Memon said no vehicle carrying petroleum products, food items and medicines was being stopped in any way, adding that the entry of heavy transport into Islamabad would remain banned until further orders.

The district administration has also set up a control room to provide 24/7 service to the people who have been asked to contact on phone number 051-9108084, in case of any difficulty.

Meanwhile, the traffic police, in a separate statement anno­unced that the Red Zone and Extended Red Zone would remain completely closed for all types of traffic.

The residents of Islam­abad have been advised to follow the alternative traffic plan in case of road closures.

Islamabad Expressway from Koral to Zero Point will be closed for all types of traffic whereas traffic may also be stopped at different times on Srinagar Highway.

Residents of G-5, G-6, G-7, F-6, and F-7 traveling to Rawalpindi should use Margalla Road and 9th Avenue. Traffic coming from Faisal Avenue to Zero Point will be diverted towards 9th Avenue.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2026

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