Islamabad: Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) security team reached Pakistan on Monday ahead of his scheduled visit to the country. The security team of the Saudi crown prince visited various places across the federal capital and reviewed security arrangements. A team of doctors and a delegation of Saudi media persons who will cover Mohammed bin Salman’s tour have also reached Islamabad.
Mohammed bin Salman, likely to arrive in Pakistan on February 16 for a two-day visit, according to the Saudi ambassador. The crown prince is expected to stay at the Prime Minister House during his visit.
A record investment package being prepared by Saudi Arabia for Pakistan will likely provide welcome relief for its cash-strapped ally, while also addressing regional geopolitical challenges.
Riyadh and Islamabad, decades-old allies, has been involved for months in talks to hammer out details of the deals in time for the high-profile visit. The outcome of the talks so far has been very positive and this is going to be one of the biggest-ever Saudi investments in Pakistan.
BOLSTERED SECURITY MEASURES
Meticulous advanced planning, including on-ground checks, preliminary intelligence gathering, and contingency planning in progress ahead of MBS visit. A number of security checkpoints will be established on the roads that lead to the places which will host MBS & Saudi Delegation. Major disruptions to traffic and business continuity will occur in the Federal Capital due to security provisions, roadblocks, and public closures during the MBS Stay.
About three hundred distinguished Saudis will be part of his entourage as most of them will be businessmen of the KSA. They will have talks with the fellow businessmen during their stay in Islamabad. The Saudi Royal delegation will be landing here in five wide-bodied jet planes and the Crown Prince will be accorded head of state protocol during his stay in Pakistan.
Stringent security arrangements will be placed during the stay of the Royal guest as all entry points of the federal capital will be scrutinized through special arrangements during the two days of his presence in the country.
Most areas in the immediate vicinity of the Red Zone will remain closed. Metro Bus also limits the service to Rawalpindi Only. Full normalization of routine operations is scheduled for February, 18. Vehicular movement in the city is possible, and the traffic situation will begin to normalize during the late evening hours of February 17th.
In light of the Security Threats, LEAs are expected to increase covert and overt operations over the coming hours and days, in order to prevent any terrorist attack from taking place. In this regard, it is possible that police and security personnel may be deployed in crowded areas to conduct high visibility policing and thereby deter possible attacks.
As well, it is possible that security will be bolstered around critical infrastructure, while covert operations are liable to take place in order to identify any terrorist sympathizers and militants planning ahead of MBS visit. While operations are liable to be increased in order to mitigate a possible attack, we assess that the Pak Army will continue to take further steps to harden Pak-Afghan border against militant attempts to penetrate.
TRAFFIC PLAN UNDER APPROVAL
LEAs will perform special duties on various alternate routes to ensure convenience to road users. Alternate routes will be identified for the citizens of Islamabad while the entry of heavy traffic will not be allowed in specific time while small vehicles to be allowed to move on alternate routes due to the closure of some boulevards including Express Highway.
The below-mentioned traffic plan is under review by the Traffic Police. They will issue the plan officially, once approved.
During Prince arrival & departure, the heavy traffic coming from Lahore would not be allowed to use Expressway and they will have to use the alternate route from Rawat T-Cross for Rawalpindi Saddar, GT Road, and Peshawar.
Similarly, heavy traffic coming from Peshawar would not be allowed to enter Islamabad as well as IJP Road and they would have to use the route from Chungi no.26, Meharabad to go towards Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Likewise, heavy traffic coming from Murree would be stopped at ‘17 Meel Tool Plaza’ while those coming from Kahuta Road will be diverted towards Rawat T-Cross from ‘Kak Bridge’.
During the Prince arrival & departure, the Expressway from Koral Chow to Garden Chowk and Faisal Avenue till Rescue-15 U-Turn will remain closed in specific times. Similarly, Murree Road from Faizabad to Rawal Dam Chowk, Kashmir Chowk and Serena Hotel, Kashmir Highway from Peshawar More to Serena will remain closed.
Constitution Avenue from Radio Pakistan to Serena hotel and Soharwardi Road from Embassy Road to Serena hotel will remain closed. Ataturk Road from Serena hotel to Nadra Chowk will also remain closed for routine traffic operations.
Suggestion:
Allocate additional travel time in your schedule due to disruptions to road travel throughout Islamabad & Rawalpindi for February 16th & 17th.
Minimize nonessential movement and maintain a heightened vigilance throughout Pakistan over the coming days as a basic security precaution. It is also advised to review your outdoor activities for 16th & 17th February if in Islamabad.
Islamabad AIR SPACE will be closed temporarily during MBS arrival and departure as Pakistani Air force Jets will make sure the safe air zone. Though he will arrive at the OLD airport (Noor Khan Base), however, those who were planning to travel through Islamabad Airport on 16th & 17th February should reconfirm flight itineraries.
Furthermore, those conducting air travel TO & FROM Islamabad Airport should allocate additional travel time given possible disruptions as a result of the roads & airspace closures and alternate routes. You may also face temporary cellular network shutdown, recharge & top-up your satellite handsets.
