Chief Commissioner Islamabad Amir Ali Ahmed has said that directives will be issued to city police for removal of the barricade placed at D-Chowk within two days. "There is no reason to close D-Chowk for traffic and I will direct Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Islamabad to remove the barricades," Amir Ali Ahmed said while taking to Business Recorder. The city police on February 27 put security of the federal capital on high alert and closed D-Chawk, NADRA Chowk and Radio Pakistan Chowk leading to Red Zone due to possible terror attack after Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down two fighter jets of Indian Air Force.
Following Pakistan Day parade held on March 23, the city police opened NADRA Chowk and Radio Pakistan Chowk and kept D-Chowk closed for traffic which is causing traffic jams on different link roads in adjacent areas of Red Zone.
Talking to Business Recorder, the government employees working in Pak Secretariat and ordinary citizens who frequently use the Embassy Road said that they have been facing problems due to continued shutdown of D-Chawk, one of the main intersections in the Red Zone.
"There is no justification to close down D-Chowk for security reasons when other entry points are open for traffic," said Mohammad Naeem, a government employee.
Some police officials on the other hand insisted that the city is still on high alert and various measures have been taken to avert any unfortunate incident. "Security in the city is on high alert especially in the Red Zone and across the city in general," said a senior official of police.
He said that keeping in view the current situation no compromise can be made on the security of Red Zone as it houses Diplomatic Enclave, Prime Minister Secretariat, the Parliament House, Supreme Court of Pakistan and other government offices. Police personnel deployed at police pickets have been strictly directed to keep a close eye over suspected vehicles and ensure random check of vehicles, he said.
Senior police officials have issued directives to ensure strict checking at entry and exit points of the capital city and also to keep a close eye on suspected individuals. He said that commandoes of Islamabad police and lady police personnel, Counter Terrorism Force (CFT), Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and Quick Response Force remain deputed at different locations in the city. Joint patrolling of police and rangers has been enhanced in Red Zone, public places, and residential areas.
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