RAWALPINDI: Extraordinary security measures put in place in Rawalpindi and Islamabad on the arrival of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian created severe inconvenience to the citizens on Tuesday.

The local administration and police closed the old Airport Road and roads leading to the Nur Khan Airbase by placing containers and barbed wires.

The security measures restricted the local residents in and around the old airport to their houses. Streets and roads in Shah Khalid Colony, Gulzar-i-Quaid, Airport Housing Society, Mangtal Town, Faisal Colony and other localities remained closed.

Traffic diversions and the blocking of roads with shipping containers caused inconvenience to the public, already facing difficulties moving within the city and cantonment areas due to the closure of the Airport Road from Rahimabad to Koral Chowk. The electric bus route from Raja Bazaar to the old airport was also suspended on Tuesday.

Roads, streets around Nur Khan Airbase blocked, metro, electric bus services suspended, residents call for alternative arrangements during VVIP movements

“The route will be opened once the district administration gives clearance,” said an official of the Regional Transport Authority. On the other hand, the metro bus service was also suspended in the afternoon. As a result, people had to face problems in reaching their destinations.

Mohammad Azhar, a resident of Faisal Colony, said the administration closed streets and roads without informing people to make arrangements. He said that he was waiting for a water tanker and due to the road blockades the private tanker driver could not enter his locality.

He said that there was water shortage for last three to four days as Wasa suspended supply.

“I left my house in the morning to go to office but all streets were closed and I had to return and inform my office in Blue Area about the closure of roads,” said Ahmed Naseer, a resident of Shah Khalid Colony.

Rana Khalid, a resident of Gulzar-i-Quaid, said that the government should provide alternative route for the residents around the old airport.

He said blocking all roads exposed the mismanagement of the Rawalpindi administration. On the the arrival of foreign delegates at the Nur Khan Airbase, they close the entire area.

“We love our brotherly countries but the government should make alternative routes for the residents so they will do their routine work without any hurdle,” he said.

Meanwhile, unprecedented security was implemented with teams conducting route combing using sniffer dogs, sharpshooters deployed on vantage points and rooftops, and more than 600 police personnel deployed on two separate routes for the movement of the Iranian president convoy from Nur Khan Airbase and Rawal Road to Islamabad.

Special VVIP security cards, containing the photographs of the officials along with their designations were issued to Elite Force personnel deployed inside the Nur Khan Airbase.

Moreover, all link roads and streets to the old Airport Road were blocked.

SSP Investigation Nasir Ali Khan was supervising the route duty arrangements from Nur Khan Airbase Chaklala to Koral, while police were also deployed in the funnel area inside the ASF camp.

Police personnel were deployed along the second VVIP route starting from Nur Khan Airbase to Faizabad via Rawal Road, Chandni Chowk and Murree Road. Sharpshooters were deployed on the rooftops and police pickets were established along the alternative VVIP route.

The police officials, including traffic police and special branch officials, deployed on the security duty were restricted from parking their cars or motorcycles along the VVIP routes.

All markets and shops located along the VVIP routes were shut down and public movement was restricted by police. Even windows and doors of buildings which opened on the roadsides were closed by the security officials. The link roads and streets were plugged tightly to restrict any movement of motorcycles and individuals.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2026