Authorities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have placed the twin cities on high alert and suspended all public and private transport until further notice in view of anticipated Iran-US ceasefire-related peace talks.
According to official sources, extraordinary security arrangements have been finalized in Islamabad, where foreign dignitaries are expected to stay at a private hotel. Around 18,000 security personnel have been deployed, including 7,000 reinforcements from Punjab.
Police officers on duty have been barred from using mobile phones and instructed to wear anti-riot kits at all times. Security responsibilities will be jointly handled by Islamabad Police, Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Corps, with coordinated checkpoints established alongside other law enforcement agencies.
Snipers from the Rangers will be deployed on key buildings along the route from the airport to the hotel, while green belts and service roads will be cleared. Only personnel carrying valid service cards will be allowed access to duty areas, and multiple security pickets have been set up around the accommodation site.
Traffic police have devised an alternative traffic plan to facilitate citizens, while intelligence support is being provided by the Special Branch. Road repairs along key routes have also been completed ahead of the high-level visit.
In Rawalpindi, similarly stringent measures have been enforced, with public transport terminals, goods transport, and rent-a-car services closed until further notice. Key routes, including Murree Road and Faizabad, along with commercial markets and wedding halls located on VVIP routes, are being shut during specified hours.
On the directives of Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani, more than 10,000 police personnel have been deployed in the city, with over 600 pickets established to monitor entry and exit points. Elite Force, Dolphin Force and other quick response units are patrolling, while trained snipers and commandos have been stationed at sensitive locations.
Search, sweep and intelligence-based operations have been intensified across the city, with strict monitoring of suspicious individuals. Security around sensitive installations, key public and private locations and residences has been further tightened, while continuous surveillance is being maintained through Safe City systems and CCTV cameras.
Meanwhile, developments in Washington, D.C. indicate heightened diplomatic activity. According to US media reports, an اہم meeting was held in the White House Situation Room, chaired by Donald Trump, to review the Iran situation.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, Scott Bessent and Susie Wiles, along with other senior officials.
Reports suggest that President Trump held at least one phone call with Pakistan’s Army Chief Syed Asim Munir and Iranian officials to discuss the evolving situation and possible outcomes of ongoing negotiations. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the future of talks with Iran were also reviewed.
With only three days remaining before the expiry of the 15-day ceasefire window, uncertainty persists over the next round of negotiations. While President Trump has expressed hope for a possible agreement this week, no formal date has yet been announced.
A senior US official has warned that failure to achieve a breakthrough could lead to renewed tensions and a potential escalation in the coming days. The White House has not yet issued an official statement regarding the high-level meeting.