RAWALPINDI: The Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi on Thursday announced a two-day public holiday on April 9 and 10, with all educational institutions and government offices set to remain closed in line with measures taken in Islamabad.
According to a notification issued by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi, Hassan Waqar Cheema, “declared a public holiday in the territorial jurisdiction of Rawalpindi District on April 9 and 10”.
“However, all emergency dealing departments, institutions, and authorities shall remain operational”, further added.
Access to the Red Zone will also be limited, with Margalla Road remaining the only open route for entry. Entry to the Serena Hotel will be allowed through Shahrahe Dastoor, while private offices within the Red Zone have been directed to stay closed.
Traffic coming from Bhara Kahu will be redirected towards Bani Gala. Security arrangements at the Serena Hotel have been handed over to law enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, several roads in Islamabad will remain closed at different times on April 9 and 10 due to the arrival of foreign delegations, according to a traffic police spokesperson. Alternative routes have been arranged for commuters.
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Travellers moving from Peshawar to Rawalpindi through GT Road have been advised to use the Taxila Motorway, Chakri, Chak Beli Road and Rawat. Those travelling from Lahore to Peshawar should follow the route through Rawat, Chak Beli Road, Chakri and Taxila Motorway.
Traffic from Margalla Road heading towards Rawalpindi will be diverted to 9th Avenue. Vehicles moving towards Zero Point from Faisal Avenue will also be redirected to 9th Avenue.
Commuters travelling from Bhara Kahu to Rawalpindi have been advised to use the Ring Road through Bani Gala and Tarlai Road. Those heading from Rawalpindi to Islamabad through Saddar Murree Road should use 9th Avenue.
The expressway from Zero Point to Koral Chowk will remain closed in both directions. Vehicles travelling from Colonel Sher Khan Road towards Faizabad will be diverted through Stadium Road from the 9th Avenue signal.
Heavy traffic travelling from Peshawar to Lahore will be redirected through the Taxila Motorway and Fateh Jang Motorway via Tarnol Phatak. Heavy vehicles coming from Lahore towards Islamabad and Rawalpindi will be directed through Chak Beli Road to Chakri Motorway.
Entry of heavy traffic into Islamabad will remain banned until April 10, while public movement to and from the Red Zone will remain completely restricted.
Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump is sending Vice President JD Vance along with other negotiators to Islamabad for talks with Iran starting on Saturday, the White House confirmed.
Trump “is dispatching his negotiating team led by the vice president of the United States, JD Vance, special envoy (Steve) Witkoff and Mr (Jared) Kushner to Islamabad for talks this weekend,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a news conference.
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Following recent developments, Iran’s delegation is expected to be led by the parliament speaker and former Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf along with Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi.
Trump agreed to a two week ceasefire with Iran shortly before his 8pm deadline to destroy a “whole civilisation”, after Pakistan made diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had appealed to the US president to pause hostilities for two weeks as backchannel efforts continued towards a possible negotiated settlement.
Trump stated that the ceasefire agreement was made on the condition that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz.