Islamabad is entering a virtual lockdown this weekend as high-level foreign delegations, including US and Iranian leadership, arrive for historic peace talks. To manage security, the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has enforced a strict diversion plan for Thursday, April 9, and Friday, April 10, 2026.
With a two-day public holiday declared, and the Expressway facing VIP closures, here is how you can navigate the capital without getting stuck.
Local Holidays Announced in Islamabad – 9th & 10th April.
As per the notification issued by the Office of the District Magistrate, 9th and 10th April 2026 (Thursday & Friday) have been declared Local Holidays within the revenue limits of Islamabad Capital Territory.
However,… pic.twitter.com/1KNyZ3ipIv— DC Islamabad (@dcislamabad) April 8, 2026
Major Road Closures: What to Avoid
The ITP has designated several “Red Alert” zones. If your route includes these, expect significant delays or total blockage.
The Red Zone and Expressway
The Red Zone is completely sealed to the public. The Islamabad Expressway will experience intermittent closures from Zero Point to Koral Chowk to facilitate delegation motorcades.
GT Road (Inter-City Travel)
- Lahore to Peshawar: Use Rawat → Chak Beli Road → Chakri → Taxila Motorway.
- Peshawar to Rawalpindi: Diverted via Motorway and Taxila.
Intra-City (Rawalpindi/Islamabad)
- Murree Road / Faizabad: Heavily restricted. Use 9th Avenue for all travel toward Islamabad.
- Bhara Kahu / Murree: Use Bani Gala Road or Ring Road to bypass the main Srinagar Highway closures near the Red Zone.
Quick Reference: Alternate Route Guide
| Destination | Avoid This Route | Use This Alternate |
| Rawalpindi (from F-6/G-6) | Faisal Avenue / Red Zone | 9th Avenue |
| Peshawar (from Lahore) | GT Road (Main City) | Chak Beli Road → M2 |
| Islamabad (from Bhara Kahu) | Club Road / Srinagar Highway | Bani Gala / Ring Road |
| Saddar (from Islamabad) | Expressway / Faizabad | Stadium Road / 9th Avenue |
PakWheels Pro-Tip: If you’re driving a petrol vehicle, avoid idling in traffic bottlenecks on 9th Avenue. If you have an Electric Vehicle (EV), you’ll handle the stop-and-go better, but keep your battery topped up as detours can add 15–20km to your trip!
PakWheels Insight: Why the Lockdown?
This is a massive security operation. With the arrival of US Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf, the Expressway is essentially a high-security corridor.
Is your fuel tank full? During the arrival of such important delegations, fuel tankers face delays. We recommend keeping at least half a tank of fuel to avoid the post-lockdown rush at pumps on Saturday morning.
What Should You Do Next?
If you have a flight or any similar time-sensitive commitment, leave at least 2 hours early. The diversions on 9th Avenue will be the city’s only pressure valve and will likely be congested.
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