Islamabad, Rawalpindi Declare Holidays as Pakistan Hosts US-Iran Peace Talks
By Tahir Shah :
Authorities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have announced local holidays on Thursday and Friday as part of extensive security arrangements for scheduled peace talks between the United States and Iran in the Pakistani capital.
Officials said the decision was taken due to the sensitivity of the negotiations, with multiple law enforcement agencies and security forces deployed to ensure tight security throughout the twin cities.
A major hotel located within Islamabad’s Red Zone has been reserved to host the delegations. The management asked guests to vacate the premises after the government requisitioned the facility for what it described as an important event lasting until Sunday evening.
According to a notification issued by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, April 9 and 10 have been declared local holidays across the Islamabad Capital Territory, except for essential services. These include the Municipal Corporation Islamabad, the Capital Development Authority, Islamabad Police, the Islamabad Electric Supply Company, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and hospitals. Police facilitation centres that issue driving licences and other services will remain closed to the public.
Rescue services and hospitals have also been placed on high alert, with authorities directing departments to keep staff and essential supplies ready during the talks.
Security meetings were held throughout Wednesday to review preparations, with further sessions planned to finalise arrangements. Officials said the Red Zone would remain completely sealed during the visit of the delegations, while additional restrictions could extend to nearby high-security areas including routes along Faisal Avenue.
Some entry points to the capital may also be temporarily closed. Officials said the security plan would be comparable to, or stricter than, the measures implemented during the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit held in Islamabad in October 2024.
Public access to several hiking routes in the Margalla Hills including Trail 2, 3, 4, 5 and the trail behind Saidpur village will remain suspended during the two-day period.
Shortly after Islamabad’s announcement, the Rawalpindi administration also declared local holidays in the garrison city.
The Pakistan Secretariat and federal government offices will remain closed on Thursday, though officials have been instructed to work from home and remain available. Friday will be observed as a regular weekly closed day under the government’s current four-day workweek arrangement.
Authorities said visiting delegations would receive VVIP protocol under the government’s Blue Book guidelines, with dedicated routes prepared for their movement between venues. Police, paramilitary personnel and other security agencies will operate under strict procedures during the event.
Additional surveillance and intelligence-based monitoring have also been intensified across the capital. Security has been reinforced at bus terminals including Faizabad, Pirwadhai and Chongi No 26, as well as in nearby residential settlements and wooded areas surrounding the high-security zone.
Despite the restrictions, the Islamabad administration announced that offices of the Excise and Taxation Department would remain open for four days, including the holidays, to facilitate motorcycle ownership transfers. The measure aims to help citizens complete the process required to qualify for a government petrol subsidy available through a mobile application.
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