ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Pakistan’s capital on Saturday said they had allowed vehicles carrying fuel, food and medicines to enter the city despite ongoing road closures, as Islamabad remains under tight security ahead of expected US-Iran talks.
The move comes after days of disruption caused by sweeping restrictions imposed across the city, where key roads have been sealed and heavy transport barred in anticipation of high-level foreign delegations.
Pakistan has positioned itself as a mediator between Washington and Tehran following weeks of conflict and a fragile ceasefire, but uncertainty over whether talks between the two warring sides will take place has left the capital in a prolonged state of lockdown, affecting transport, businesses and supply chains.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad late on Friday, according to Pakistani and Iranian officials, in a move seen as part of efforts to revive stalled negotiations. A US delegation is also expected to travel to the capital over the weekend.
“Vehicles transporting petroleum products, food items and medicines have been granted special permission,” the district administration said in a statement.
Officials said the administration was coordinating with food distributors, pharmaceutical companies and fuel suppliers to ensure essential goods continued to reach the city.
“No vehicles belonging to these categories are being stopped,” said Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon.
Authorities said a ban on heavy transport entering Islamabad would remain in place until further notice, even as a control room has been set up to address public complaints.
The restrictions follow a similar lockdown earlier this month when Islamabad hosted initial US-Iran talks on April 11 that ended without a breakthrough. The city briefly reopened before being sealed again in anticipation of a second round that has yet to materialize.
Residents and businesses have reported shortages of perishable goods and disruptions to daily life, as uncertainty over the talks continues to prolong security measures across the capital.
