ISLAMABAD, February 13: Airspace will be shut down, cellphone services partially suspended and main routes closed to heavy traffic in Islamabad and Rawalpindi over the weekend to ensure security during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s upcoming two-day visit to Pakistan, police sources told Dawn NewsTV on Wednesday.
The crown prince, at the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan, will visit Pakistan on Feb 16 and 17. Mohammad bin Salman will be accompanied by a high-powered delegation including other members of the royal family, key ministers and leading businessmen.
During his stay, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will be signing a number of agreements and MoUs related to diverse sectors, including investment, finance, power, renewable energy, internal security, media, culture and sports.
According to an Arab News report quoting Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, the crown prince will be the first state guest to stay at the official residence of the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Chaudhry said the crown prince’s own security team would be guarding PM House during his stay, alongside on-duty Pakistani security officials.
As part of security measures planned for the crown prince’s visit, there will be over 1,000 check points set up in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and law enforcement officials will be posted along the twin cities’ main routes, from which heavy traffic will be barred for two days. The metro bus service will remain restricted to Rawalpindi, the sources said.
Additionally, shoot-on-sight orders have been issued for drones and other remote-controlled aviation toys, the sources added.
Arab News reported that Saudi security and intelligence officials are expected to be present across the capital for the two days that the crown prince is visiting. The Islamabad Expressway will be shut for the VVIP movement, while the route from Koral Chowk to Faisal Avenue 15 u-turn will be shut down at various times. – Agencies
