ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has taken measures to ensure foolproof security arrangements are in place ahead of the visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday, officials told Arab News on Friday.
“Main security arrangements have been handed over to the army,” Islamabad Capital Territory Police Spokesman, Inspector Naeem Iqbal said. “The police will assist the army and ensure a smooth flow of traffic in the city.”
He added that a traffic plan has been devised to avoid congestion on the main roads, with “commuters coming in from Rawalpindi to Islamabad encouraged to use the 9th Avenue on February 16 and 17.”
“However, the Kashmir Highway will remain open for traveling to the airport, motorways and other parts of the country,” he said.
When asked about the deployment of police personnel, he said: “Around 4,000 personnel have been deployed in the city. All the important locations are manned, including the entry and exit points of the federal capital. Over 1,200 security pickets will be established at different points of the city. People traveling around are also advised to carry their CNICs [Computerized National Identity Cards] with them.”
The crown prince is due to arrive in Islamabad on Saturday as part of a two-day visit which is being seen as an apogee of strong ties between the two allies.
He is expected to sign a range of agreements worth up to $15 billion, including deals for three power plants in Pakistan’s Punjab province and an oil refinery and petrochemical complex in the coastal city of Gwadar in the Balochistan province.
Army tasked with ensuring tight security ahead of crown prince’s visit
Army tasked with ensuring tight security ahead of crown prince’s visit
- Elaborate measures in place before Saudi royal’s trip begins on Saturday
- Over 1,200 security pickets will be established in Islamabad, police officials say
Saudi Arabia condemns deadly mosque bombing in Pakistan’s capital
- The Kingdom rejects targeting of places of worship, expresses solidarity with Pakistan
- Saudi foreign ministry offers condolences to victims’ families, wishes injured recovery
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia on Friday condemned the suicide bombing that targeted a mosque in Islamabad, expressing solidarity with Pakistan after the attack killed and injured dozens on the outskirts of the capital.
The blast, which struck during Friday prayers, killed at least 31 people and wounded more than 160 others, according to Pakistani authorities.
In a statement issued by its foreign ministry, Saudi Arabia denounced the targeting of a place of worship and rejected all forms of violence and extremism.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in the capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Islamabad,” the statement said.
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It added that the Kingdom stood firmly against attacks on civilians and places of worship and reaffirmed its support for Pakistan in confronting militant violence.
The ministry also extended condolences to the families of those killed and expressed sympathy with the Pakistani government and people, wishing the wounded a speedy recovery.
No militant group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, which Pakistani officials say is being investigated.
