Security officers are stationed at a security checkpoint on a road that is temporarily closed near the Serena Hotel in the Red Zone of Islamabad on Monday. Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, anxiously awaits confirmation on the continuation of a second round of US-Iran peace negotiations following the US capture of an Iranian-flagged vessel, which has led to an angry reaction from Tehran.
Within the city’s “Red Zone” – home to the nation’s parliament, Supreme Court, major government offices, and foreign embassies – the two primary hotels have emptied their rooms of guests in preparation for the delegations’ arrival.
The Serena, where initial – and unproductive – discussions occurred earlier this month, and the Marriott – which housed the Iranian delegation during those discussions – have been vacated.
Traffic is completely stopped on the main road entering the Red Zone following the city’s police announcement of alternative traffic arrangements “because of foreign delegations arriving in Islamabad.”
Residents of the city have been urged to take different paths.
All officials working in the Red Zone have been instructed to telecommute on April 20.
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