Islamabad: Traffic Police (ITP) has issued a special traffic plan for the federal capital, with complete closure of the Red Zone and extended Red Zone, along with suspension of traffic on Islamabad Expressway from Korral to Zero Point.

According to the advisory, traffic on the Srinagar Highway may also be stopped at different times due to security arrangements.

The advisory comes amid Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s expected arrival in Islamabad on Friday night, without providing details about who he was likely to meet.

Iranian state media reported that Araghchi will depart on Friday (today) for a tri-nation tour that includes visits to Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow.

“The purpose of this visit is to hold bilateral consultations and discuss current developments in the region, as well as the latest situation in the war imposed by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran,” the state news agency IRNA said.

Meanwhile, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will head to Pakistan on Saturday for a new round of talks with Iran on ending the war, the White House said.

“I can confirm Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Friday.

Leavitt said that Vance remained ready to fly to Pakistan but will not for now. “Everyone will be on standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary,” she said.

Islamabad has been gearing up for an anticipated second round of talks between the United States and Iran. The talks would come more than two weeks after Vice President JD Vance held the first round of talks with Iranian representatives in Pakistan.

During the first round of talks in Pakistan, Vance said that Iran refused US demands on constraints on its contested nuclear programme.

In its advisory issued today, ICT Police said that entry of all types of heavy traffic into Islamabad will remain banned, while transporters have been advised to avoid travelling towards the capital.

Residents of G-5, G-6, G-7, F-6 and F-7 can use Margalla Road and 9th Avenue for travel to and from Rawalpindi. Traffic from Faisal Avenue towards Zero Point will be diverted to 9th Avenue.

In case of closure between Zero Point and Korral Chowk, commuters can use Srinagar Highway to 9th Avenue, then Stadium Road, Murree Road (Chandni Chowk) and Rawal Road to reach Korral.

Traffic from Park Road towards Club Road will be diverted to Tramri Chowk.

Commuters travelling from Bhara Kahu to Rawalpindi are advised to use Korang Road, Bani Gala and Lehtrar Road.

Traffic from Rawalpindi Saddar to Islamabad can use Colonel Sher Khan Road via Faqir Aipee Road or 9th Avenue.

Heavy traffic from Peshawar to Lahore will be diverted via Taxila Motorway, Chakri Interchange, Chak Beli Road and Rawat GT Road.

Similarly, heavy traffic from Lahore to Peshawar will use Rawat GT Road, Chak Beli Road, Chakri Interchange and Taxila via the motorway. The traffic plan will come into force from Saturday.

Citizens have been advised to follow alternate routes and cooperate with the traffic police.

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has urged the UN Security Council (UNSC) to address India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), warning of “grave” security, environmental, and humanitarian risks for 240 million people.

A letter from Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, addressed to Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei of Bahrain, which hold the 15-member Council’s presidency for the month of April,  draws attention to India’s “illegal” decision to hold the IWT in abeyance one year after its suspension amid heightened political tensions with Pakistan.

The letter was handed over to the Security Council President by the  Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday, according to a press release issued by the Pakistani Mission.

DPM/FM Dar urged the Security Council to take cognizance of the alarming situation and call on India to restore the full implementation of IWT, resume all Treaty-mandated cooperation and data-sharing without delay, desist from any form of water coercion, and comply fully with its international obligations in good faith.

In this regard, Ambassador Asim Ahmad also briefed the Security Council president on the “regurgitation of baseless allegations and propaganda by India at a time when Pakistan is engaged in serious mediation efforts to promote regional and international peace and security.”

The Pakistani envoy also underscored that the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute – a longstanding item on the Security Council’s agenda – was the root cause of instability in South Asia that necessitated a just and lasting settlement in accordance with relevant Council’s resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The 66-year-old treaty governs the distribution of waters from the Indus river system, allocating the western rivers, Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, primarily to Pakistan, which depends on them for most of its agriculture. The agreement has long been seen as one of the most durable arrangements between the two countries, surviving wars and decades of hostility.

However, India announced on Apr. 23, 2025 it was holding the treaty in abeyance. The move came as India, without producing any evidence,  accused  Pakistan of being behind a militant attack in Indian-Occupied Kashmir. Pakistan categorically denied any involvement it in  the attack, which led to a brief but intense military conflict between the two countries in May 2025.

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister (DPM/FM), Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Friday held a telephonic conversation with the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov.

During the interaction, reiterating the importance of maintaining regular high-level engagements, both the dignitaries discussed rescheduling of the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Russia at an early mutually convenient date. The DPM/FM also extended an invitation to FM Lavrov to visit Pakistan, a DPM’s Office news release said.

The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and cooperation at multilateral fora in support of international peace & security.

FM Lavrov appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States.

The DPM/FM underscored Pakistan’s resolve to continue contributing to efforts aimed at promoting dialogue and diplomacy to resolve all issues.

Both sides agreed to remain in touch.