Several roads leading to Islamabad’s Red Zone were closed on Friday as authorities prepared for expected protests by religious parties, according to the capital’s police.
Police said that Margalla Road and the route passing through Islamabad Marriott Hotel will remain open for access to the Red Zone, while all other entry points have been sealed. Fazal-e-Haq Road heading towards China Chowk has also been closed to traffic, and citizens have been advised to use Jinnah Avenue as an alternative route.
Traffic moving from Polyclinic towards Lal Quarter Chowk will be diverted through Luqman Hakim Road, while commuters can also use Saddar Road as another option.
Those travelling from G-6 to F-6 have been advised to take the China Chowk underpass or use the Seventh Avenue to Jinnah Avenue route. Meanwhile, traffic from Abpara Chowk heading towards Serena Hotel will be redirected.
Motorists coming from Club Road or Bara Kahu are advised to follow the route through Kashmir Chowk, Srinagar Highway, Seventh Avenue and Margalla Road.
The traffic advisory comes ahead of a protest march planned from G-6 to D-Chowk, with all roads leading to D-Chowk expected to remain closed.
For assistance, citizens can contact the police helpline at 15 or the Traffic Helpline at 1915. Commuters can also tune in to ITF FM 92.4 for live traffic updates.
Earlier this week, Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman called for nationwide protests today against the US-Israel attacks on Iran and to express solidarity with the neighbouring country.