March 29, 2016
News
Capital protests: embassies, NGOs remain closed
ISLAMABAD: Offices of most embassies, high commissions, UN, INGOs and NGOs remained closed on Monday and they stopped their staff from travelling due to the sit-in of Mumtaz Qadri’s supporters in the capitals’ Red Zone. Because of the siege of federal capital by supporters of Qadri, district administration of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) closed the roads leading towards Red Zone. In the vicinity of Red Zone are located the most sensitive area of the capital, like Presidency, Diplomatic Enclave, Parliament House, Supreme Court, Secretariat, ministers’ residence and other sensitive government offices. Heavy contingents of Rangers, police and other law enforcement agencies remained on alert for the security of important buildings as well as foreign diplomats. They established temporary blockades by putting containers on the roads. No one was allowed to cross points where LEAs were deputed. The embassies and high commissions of America, German, Britain, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, India, China, Russia and other countries and high commissions, United Nations offices, INGOs and national NGOs offices remained closed for security reasons. Diplomatic sources informed Daily Times that American, British, German, Russian and other embassies and high commissions and UN issued special advisories to their staff to avoid travelling and remain in the safe premises of their residences. Three important road leading towards Red Zone remained closed with containers and only a single avenue, Margalla Road, was opened for traffic.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk