Pakistan is bracing for a high-profile visit by US officials as the country prepares for fresh talks with Iran. According to sources, Iranian and American delegations have begun arriving in Islamabad ahead of the second round of talks. However, top government officials have denied that the second round of talks between the US and Iran will take place in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The city is on high alert, with additional police personnel deployed on major roads in Rawalpindi. The Zero Point to Expressway via Red Zone and Korral has been closed for all types of traffic. According to authorities, the entry of heavy traffic in the capital has also been restricted, and an alternative traffic plan has been implemented. Islamabad’s traffic police have directed residents of G-5, G-6, G-7, F-6, and F-7 to use Margalla Road for their commute to and from Rawalpindi.
Public, private, and inter-city transport services are suspended in Rawalpindi, while additional checkpoints have been set up by the authorities on the Expressway and Faizabad-Muree Road. Bus stations in Faizabad, Pir Wadhai, and 26 have been closed, and the metro bus service is partially suspended. Trade centers in Faizabad are also closed.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has recovered $145 billion in Iranian rials from a suspect arrested in Karachi. Vice President Shahzaib Durrani had a telephonic conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that one political party was misleading people by claiming that Pakistan’s economy was on the verge of collapse. A police team was pursuing suspects in a robbery case when they came under fire, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fugitives.
In a separate incident in Karachi’s Baldia Town, a man allegedly opened fire on his former wife and two children, killing them. Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, the Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, demanded a reduction in the price of petrol to Rs. 250. Naseer Shah said that tribal leaders have been instructed to take action against robbers, warning that strict action would be taken if they failed to do so.
US President Donald Trump stated that his representatives are heading to Islamabad, where they will be present for the talks. Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi urged pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to follow the guidelines set by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Senior leader of PML-N, Khawaja Saad Rafique, praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for saving the country from default. Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that the unity of political and military leadership is the guarantee of Pakistan’s strength.
General Amir Hatami, the Chief of the Iranian Army, stated that Iran’s military is ready to make sacrifices and take action against any threats. Sources revealed that hotels in Islamabad have been instructed to vacate guests, and no new bookings will be allowed until Friday. A foreign airline’s flight departed from Islamabad at 11 am. Manzoor Zafar claimed that the development work in Karachi is not taking place, contradicting the government’s statement. According to him, the city’s infrastructure is in a very poor condition. The American media reported that Iran’s negotiation team is expected to arrive in Islamabad on Monday. US President Donald Trump said that his representatives are heading to Islamabad, where they will be present for the talks. Trump also stated that the US will not repeat the mistakes made during Barack Obama’s presidency.
