Trump to Visit Pakistan? Islamabad Under Lockdown for US-Iran Peace Talks

Strict security measures have been enforced in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Sunday amid the possibility of a second round of peace talks between the United States and Iran. The city is witnessing lockdown-like conditions with the Red Zone completely sealed off. While the US, Iran, or Pakistan have not officially confirmed the meeting yet, the extensive preparations suggest high-level diplomatic activity. A security team for a high-level US delegation has already arrived in Islamabad. US President Donald Trump has also indicated that he might visit Islamabad, provided a situation arises where an agreement is ready to be signed.

US Cargo Planes Land at Noor Khan Airbase

According to reports, two US cargo planes have landed at the Noor Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi. Such aircraft are typically used to transport essential equipment and security gear ahead of VVIP arrivals. This suggests that a large US delegation is expected to reach Islamabad soon. It's worth noting that on April 11, US Vice President JD Vance took approximately 17 hours to reach Islamabad via Air Force Two and landed at Noor Khan Airbase on April 12 for the initial peace talks.

Traffic Restrictions and Red Zone Closure

In anticipation of the foreign delegation, the Islamabad Police have made significant changes to traffic management, while the Red Zone and the Extended Red Zone have been completely closed to all movement. Residents have been advised to use alternative routes and cooperate with security forces. On top of that, transport services have been suspended in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, located 15 km away. The Rawalpindi District Administration ordered a halt to all public transport, though private vehicles were later exempted. The Islamabad District Administration has also banned heavy and public transport until further notice, causing significant inconvenience to the public. These security restrictions are expected to remain in place for up to 10 days.

Evacuation of Major Luxury Hotels

Major hotels in Islamabad have stopped accepting new bookings. The luxury Movenpick Hotel has no rooms available for the current week, and the Serena Hotel is no longer taking new reservations. Notably, the first round of talks between the US and Iran was held at the Serena Hotel, while On top of that, guests staying at the Serena and Marriott hotels were asked to relocate to other accommodations starting Sunday night. This indicates that these premises are being cleared for specific high-security purposes.

Timeline for the Next Round of Negotiations

The first round of talks concluded on April 12, after which Pakistan has been facilitating the exchange of messages between the US and Iran. Iranian officials have stated that direct talks are more effective as they minimize misunderstandings caused by third-party involvement. While the exact date for the second round has not been finalized, reports suggest the meeting could take place by Tuesday.